Motorcycle Repair: Honda Shadow Sabre, honda shadow sabre, 2004 honda shadow sabre

Question
I have a 2004 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100cc with 310 miles. My problem is that when I shift into first gear the bike jerks and makes a clunk sound. When I shift into all other gears the shifting is smooth. What may be the problem?

Answer
Hi Ivan,

There is no problem, that is normal. The jerking may ease a bit as parts break-in.

Other gears operate smoothly and more quietly because those parts are rotating and slide into position. Clutch "drive" plates are rotating with the crankshaft. Clutch "driven" plates are disengaged from drive plates by the clutch assembly. When the shift lever is pressed into 1st gear, the clutch basket, transmission  shafts, and final drive shafts/chain "clunk" as slack is taken up and energy is now on these parts as they wait for the clutch to be engaged.

Enjoy your new MC! That's a nice machine.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively