Clunky shifting

[Guest]

When shifting especially into first the engine shifts into gear, but it feels like its shifting hard.. Is this common on these bikes or is my clutch cable or something else need to be adjusted?

[cowboyup3371]

No, it's not that common but I'm not the expert that some are. However, I would ask when was the last time you changed the oil?

What kind of bike are you talking about? Please put it in your signature so we don't have to ask and you don't have to remember to tell us.

[Nessism]

Adjust the clutch cable to make sure you have the proper amount of freeplay at the lever. If that doesn't work than maybe your clutch plates are warped and dragging a little.

[dorkburger]

I would also go with checking the cable, oil, and clutch as well. My 1150 shifts between gears much more smoothly with fresh oil, however it has always gone from neutral to first with somewhat of a clunk. I usually start it in gear, clutch in.

[chris032188]

1988 gs450 - and changed oil less then 150 miles ago (when I got the bike).. It seems to go through the gears fine, but n into first is a heavy shift.

[Gorminrider]

I've never had a jap bike that was always or even mostly easy into first when the oil is warm. but I've only owned old and POed bikes. My general impression is, they all do this to some degree. I rev in N on the way down- seems to help if only because it gives more time between shift but probably better:as was pointed out to me, a REALLY high rev is required to drop 2->1. Don't force it, whatever. Rolling the bike a bit backnforth helps.
If the warmed up clutch disengages properly, without drag, there's not much else to do with it.

[gsjames]

I had a hard time getting in tune with the shifting on my gs450. Eventually I got it, and then it worked fine.
I was just spoiled by my glorious Norton trani.

[bearrocco]

My 550 the idle was a little high lowered the idle ,that helped but still clunks a little . When down shifting I found giving the bike some time after you pull in the clutch helps .

[Grimly]

Check your chain tension, too.

[disstance]

Check your chain tension, too.

I second this notion.
I just changed my tires and noticed a difference in shifting, turns out when I re-installed the rear tire I didn't put the chain back to the proper hash mark. Once at the right tension, the bike went back to pretty smooth shifting, especially for a 30+ year old bike.