shifting problem

[Gooseberrie]

Welcome to the Vulcandrifterriders Forum.
My new to me 1999 does the same and should be ok. I learn not to ride fast shifting into higher gears. The first position is not for action. Refs are far to high having to shift down to it. I use the clutch extensively. Riding the bike has helped even though some rides were worse. I think fresh oil and adding more oil to the amount has helped. Also found sweet spots to be a bit lower. Could that be true at all? This thing reminds you to pull the clutch lever completely. That is beneficiary in the process.

The shop told me that I would have noticed constantly when the clutch wouldn't engage or disengage. I agreed from experience, that this probably had not been the issue. Just partially a learning process. It had been relaxed, listening to the radio on my earphones on a 60 miles shopping ride last Sunday. Deep rumble and shifting noise being completely absent. I expect taking "the other bike" more often then. Should find it on the club's same parking-lot.

One of these listening devices is American, I bet that it's not behind the mirror.

[capnconch]

I have a 2003 1500 Classic, and it consistently has a small amount of grind when shifting from first into second.

I recently greased the driveshaft on my '06, ya gotta remove the Left floorboard and shift levers. upon reassembly I put my heel shifter up one notch so it sat higher and am now able to give a more firm upshift. I like it a lot better where as in the previous stock position I was not able to depress it just quite enough to provide a good solid feel to the shifts. 1st to 2nd is now a positive engagement. I don't stomp the shift but am able to provide the full downward swing it should have.

[Drifter1500]

Shift between 1st and second is a know problem for the 1500VN. Take it easy between these two gears and it will live a long life. Abuse it and you will be replacing second gear. And that is not a cheap fix. When my bike is cold I make sure to give second gear a firm shift to make sure it engages. Known problem. It has to skip over neutral to engage.

[pcarrell]

Have you changed and bled the clutch slave cylinder lately?  Also, there's a small hole inside the cylinder that needs cleaned out in order to relieve pressure (a pin works well for this).  Lastly, lube the plunger rod between the lever and the cylinder.

[gorman5]

I have a 2003 1500 Classic, and it consistently has a small amount of grind when shifting from first into second.