1st gear

[las1200]

Hi everyone,

As a new FJ owner I experience a considerable 'clunck' noise and shake from the gear box when I engage 1st gear with cold engine. Is there a trick to avoid this?

las

[Harvy]

 2 methods.

put the bike in gear before starting, hold the clutch lever in and rock the bike until the clutch lets go.

OR

after starting the bike, pull the clutch lever in and blip the throttle a couple of times to make the clutch let go.

Either way will work with a bit of practice.

The reason this happens is that the clutch plates stick together (I think mainly due to oil film).

Harvy

[craigo]

Hi Las,

After owning 3 FJ's, I can tell you that this is normal and not to worry about.  There are a lot of other strange noises that come out of the engine that are normal also.  All these go away after the bike is warm.

Welcome to the group, great people here!!!

CraigO
90FJ1200

[las1200]

Thanks guys! 

[RichBaker]

The only way I know to prevent it is to start her in gear.... Roll her back and forth to break the clutch plates loose and you're GTG.

[andyb]

If you have Barnett clutch plates, this is a common issue.  If you're using OEM, it'll still do it as the plates stick together from the oil.  You can minimize it some, but it'll always be there.  If you've got the aftermarket plates, you'll never get it much better.  Just something to know.

[las1200]

ok, used Harvy's 1st recomendation and works fine.