Do your gears "clunk" while downshifting?

[rjk555_imp]

Greetings to the other CB1100 riders. I wanted to find out of one of the actions on my bike is shared with other riders. My CB "clunks" into gear when I downshift gears - particularly first and second gear. By "clunking" I mean that there is a very physical sensation as the gears transition. The clunk is not limited to instances when the bike is moving and I downshift to engine brake. It happens when the bike is not moving and I downshift as well.

Upshifting is smooth.

Thank you for any input.

[SUPERCRUZ_imp]

Yes, there is a noticeable clunk when putting the bike into 1st gear from a stand still at a light. This is not unusual. My 2011 Triumph Bonneville did the same thing. No worries.

[Jim21680_imp]

I think the "clunk" which results from stepping into first gear while stopped is the flywheel picking up the inertial tug of the clutch coming out of neutral.
There are ways engineers could dampen this, but I'm beginning to think it's a characteristic designed into the bike (and, from my experience, just about EVERY bike). It may be a safety feature that says "hey...you just put this bike in gear".

Also,
You might already know this, but for instances when the bike is moving, that clunk will happen when the engine's rpm isn't in sync with the bike's actual speed, relative to the gear you're going into. A blip of the throttle will lessen or eliminate this.

[Waffa_imp]

Being used to old Kawasaki's that seem to have several false neutrals, I love the positive feel of that clunk, lets me know I got it in.

[The Spaceman_imp]

The CB's "clunk" is the lightest of any bike I've owned. Actually the transmission is the slickest and smoothest I've ever ridden.

I did notice this bike is more sensitive to chain adjustment than others. I've found adjusting it a tad tighter than usual works well; toward the lower end of the range of 1" to 1.4" called for makes a detectable difference in how the bike shifts.

[rjk555_imp]

Thank you for the input, everyone. I used to ride a CB919. There was a clunk on that bike too, but much lighter. The 1100's clunk is more noticeable. Also, I get it when I downshift from 3rd to 2nd, as well as to 1st gear. Nonetheless, it sounds like the clunk is normal, which is reassuring.

Thank you again.

[Makaii_imp]

I used to own CB400 both Vtec 1 & 2.. And after that Zephyr too, they all had a "clunk" on the 1st gear, my most trusted mechanic told me its normal because the 1st gear engaged is the hardest compared to shifting up/down when the bike is already engaged 1st gear.. Hope this helps..

[meowguy_imp]

Quote:Yes, there is a noticeable clunk when putting the bike into 1st gear from a stand still at a light.
I keep my bike in gear at lights. I downshift into first with wheels moving and there is no clunk, just a soft click as you would expect. Bumper to bumper traffic is another matter. There you are in and out to give your left hand a rest once in a while.

Back in the day this was called "riding the clutch". With our wet clutch these days, this practice is no longer frowned upon.

[mininsx_imp]

Thank you for the input, everyone. I used to ride a CB919. There was a clunk on that bike too, but much lighter. The 1100's clunk is more noticeable. Also, I get it when I downshift from 3rd to 2nd, as well as to 1st gear. Nonetheless, it sounds like the clunk is normal, which is reassuring.

Thank you again.

You'll get a little "clunk" when downshifting unless you rev match to the upcoming gear, and when stopped every bike I've owned "clunks" when going into first. If you want to hear some real crashing noises, get a cruiser!

[Randy B]

Quote:Yes, there is a noticeable clunk when putting the bike into 1st gear from a stand still at a light.
I keep my bike in gear at lights. I downshift into first with wheels moving and there is no clunk, just a soft click as you would expect. Bumper to bumper traffic is another matter. There you are in and out to give your left hand a rest once in a while.

Back in the day this was called "riding the clutch". With our wet clutch these days, this practice is no longer frowned upon.

What is this "bumper to bumper traffic" (on a motorcycle) that you speak of?