Hi guys, I’m new here so hopefully I posted this in the right section. I bought a ‘98 SH with 12K miles on it about a month ago. It is in great condition and seems to have been well taken care of. The problem I’m having is when shifting from neutral to first I get a loud “pop” as it goes into gear. The clutch is fully engaged yet it does this and the bike also kind of kicks forward just a bit along with the “pop”. However, you can let out on the clutch and has an inch or 2 before the clutch begins to engage and the bike moves forward so this leads me to think it’s not the clutch. Also a lot of the time when shifting from 1st to 2nd it will get caught in neutral. Is this normal? Has anyone else had similar problems? Any ideas on what the problem may be, if there’s one at all? Thanks in advance for any help!

-Michael

 

Yeah it just seems like its having a little trouble going in gear. It's not really grinding or anything. And if it was a known problem I wanted to catch it before something happened. I'm hoping it's like you say and just the way they are. Thanks for the reply!

 

I agree with frodaddy on both.... My '98 has the same clunk into first from neutral.... I think they all do to an extent. As for the 1st to 2nd.... when I'm being lazy and soft toe'd I hang up in neutral every now and then as well.... but if I'm paying attention and using the proper amount of force, goes right into second....

J.

 

The transmissions are just clunky.

 

Yeah, that's normal. You can adjust the leverage on the shifter and it might help.

 

Thanks for all the replies! Glad to hear it's normal. I might try adjusting the linkage to see if it will tighten it up a little. Thanks again!

 

the only time mine doesn't do that is the first time I put it in first after warming it up. but after that its clunk and jump every time. other bikes do it too. its normal.