Hard to get int 1st gear?

[aussie]

Uh huh! You live, you learn.... Glad to know that it is not just me. Doesn't happen all the time and like Aïda I just move the bike backwards / forwards a little if it does, and it 'clicks' into first.

[booisgolden]

hey, i'd just like to thank everyone for this forum, and particularly this thread.  been lurking for a while on various topics, but i just got my 1979 r65 this week and getting into first gear was a beast until i read this thread.   as a pretty newbie rider, too, it was particularly daunting.

i took her out today and really really was able to ride it for the first time.  it was exhilarating to say the least, and if it weren't for the advice, it would have taken me a lot longer to figure it out.  eventually, yes, but much faster thanks to you!

[montmil]

Cool. Welcome Chinatown. Another lady rider amongst us... and an R65er yet. OK guys. New lady in the house. Time for our weekly swipe of deodorant whether we need it or not.

Being a former lurker, but now an official member of the R65 asylum, you know the drill. We want to see some snaps of your scooter. Simple airheads us all... we like to look at pictures.

Monte

[Barry]

Justin explained perfectly why 1st may not go in at the first attempt because the dogs may not be lined up and the reason why they don't line up on their own is that we have a dry clutch which disengages completely unlike the more common wet clutch bikes which always have some drag especially when cold. That's why some wet clutch bikes clonk into 1st from cold. Anyone with an old Triumph knows all about clutch drag and stiction.

[steven m]

Count me in.  When cold, at rest, letting the clutch out slightly spins the clusters and allows first gear to be engaged.  Once the gearbox has warmed up it isn't a problem for me.  I don't think it has anything to do with clutch drag.  The 68 Bonneville I rode needed the multi-plate wet clutch broken free before starting when cold.  I'd pull in the clutch and kick it over until it broke free(Triumph's didn't have primary starting), tickle one carb, and the bike would usually start up 1st kick.  You can put our bikes in gear, start the engine, and ride off to avoid the issue.  Not that I suggest doing it.

My two sense.

Steve

[montmil]

...The 68 Bonneville I rode ...
Steve

Jeez, I'm beginning to feel vintage myownself. My last Triumph twin was a 1953. Where's my walker? [smiley=zzz.gif]

I also do the "rock the bike, ease out the clutch" dance to avoid the ugly first gear clunk. Effective.

Monte

[steven m]

Hidden behind your Whitworth spanners and sockets!  The Bonneville did make a beautiful sound, and felt very powerful.  All 40 horsepower...

Steve

[CE144]

This issue was solved for me when a more experienced BMW rider explained pre-loading the shift lever... just giving it a partial nudge up or down before activating the clutch.

Problem solved, and my shifts are much smoother.