Goes into first hard and with a big clunk!?!

[fiveonfire6004]

The bike is an 82 XJ. It had been sitting for 5-6 years, but started regularly. I just got done getting the carbs cleaned up and the engine is now running very smooth and very quite ( not much valve noise ). I also did an oil change and added an oil cooler (Hayden, very nice looking unit). So, first gear? When I first picked up the bike from PO when I put it in first it clunked really hard. When I moved it into the garage it did the same. I was hoping an oil change would help it, but it is still the same. Now, when I had it on the center stand and put it in first gear the rear wheel started spinning. When I put it back to neutral the rear wheel keep spinning. The clutch cable adjustment on the handle bar looks to be adjusted all the way out. With it on the center stand I get the impression the clutch is not disengaging. One other thing, I have never taken the bike down the road, i.e. it hasn't left the garage. Oh yeah, 14k miles, original clutch. Any ideas? New clutch cable maybe? Thanks for your time!

Elmer

[COOL TOM]

Transmission

This is the way that the XS/XJ's shift. Start the bike let it warm up and when you get ready to put it in gear pull the clutch in for about 30 or 40 seconds before you put in gear. Then shift with authority! These bikes shift like a Russian tractor. You will very seldom get it to shift into first without a CLUNK.
Did it want to move when you had the back tire on the ground, when you put it in gear?

[bikerphil]

Also, make sure your idle speed is set at 1100 RPM or lower. The lower it is, the less clunk.

[fiveonfire6004]

No, the bike did not want to move when put in gear And the RPM's are setting right at 1100. Thanks for your inputs!

[DGXSER]

another Peanut Gallery

giving the "yep, its a yammie 1100, they go CLUNK!"

[Geezer]

They clunk even worse if you're having clutch problems. Try top gear and 40 MPH then roll on full throttle. If the revs go up but not the speed, you need a clutch.

Why am I bringing this up? Because a worn clutch will drag way more than a good one...

Geezer

[Shuriken]

One of my favorite descriptions of the XS11 gears:
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4855

[skids]

If the bike sat a long time or the clutch is indeed new, the plates need to be scrubbed-in with oil. The idle speed while hitting first from neutral is important as described. To wear-in the plates, once you have the bike in first with the clutch pulled, feather the clutch in and out to the friction point. You may want to just start the bike in first with the cllutch pulled in for a while.