Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: 80 Honda CM400T, clutch control, cm series

Question
Hey there, I just bought this bike used (it had been sitting 5 years) and I'm working on getting her purring and happy again... This is my second bike, having upgraded from a cm250c as a learner.  I had 2 quick questions if you could help it would be greatly appreciated.  #1 What is your opinion on the CM series?  Reliability and safety wise. #2 I've noticed that, while changing gears at lower speeds (upshift and downshift) the gears click in really loudly.  By that I mean that there is a definite "crack" as opposed to a gentle "click" when the gear engages.  I never had an issue with clutch control on the 250, do you think this "crack" would be related to user error, or could it be a mechanical issue?  Thank you, kindly

Answer
We've had CMs as training bikes and they've always been reliable and safe. Definitely have character.

There's something called "the Honda 'thunk'" that's part of the way the motorcycle works, especially when shifting into first from neutral. As long as the gear stays engaged under power, I wouldn't worry about it.

Pat