Ducati M900 shifting question

[ajohnsto]

Hi, I have a 2000 M900 and while out riding I had a few instances where when I stopped at a light and clicked into neutral it took a few kicks down to get first engaged.  It has never done that before so when I got home I shifted a few times and could only replicate it if I shifted into neutral then tried to shift into first without releasing the clutch.  Has anyone experienced this before or know what causes it? 
I also had a few false neutrals when I would shift between 3-4 but I believe that was from me not moving the shifter far enough.  Thanks in advance.

[ajohnsto]

Anyone have any ideas?   

[zarn02]

Hm. A few ideas...

Make sure the shifter is still adjusted properly and hasn't loosened up anywhere.

Put the bike on a stand, run it, shift into gear and make sure the clutch is fully disengaging.

How's your clutch fluid? How long since it's been changed?

[booger]

shifter drum out of whack, pins misaligned with the pawl
commonplace and correctable with adjustment



but that's just a wild guess

[zarn02]

shifter drum out of whack, pins misaligned with the pawl
commonplace and correctable with adjustment



but that's just a wild guess

This has happened to you, hasn't it?

[BK_856er]

shifter drum out of whack, pins misaligned with the pawl
commonplace and correctable with adjustment



but that's just a wild guess

Over time I got more and more false neutrals on up and down shifts, and then on one occasion a temporarily stuck shifter.  Tore into it and found a worn and incorrectly adjusted shifter mechanism (harpoon piece).  Installed some new parts, shimmed out the slop, adjusted carefully, and now it's purrrrrrrfect - better than new, since it seemingly left the factory with a poor setup.  I have a detailed thread around here somewhere.  Might not be your problem, but it's a common one.  Difficulty getting into 1st gear could also be a clutch disengagement issue.  Definitely get your foot positioning/technique sorted out - that part's free.

BK

[battlecry]

Try shifting to N while you are still moving slowly.  If you are stopped, try shifting into N as you push the bike forward a  few inches on foot.  That seems to make it easier on my bike.

I would also flush/bleed the clutch fluid while watching the Red Sox blow another game.  Kinda like when you do two sucky things at the same time, you can cancel some of the suckness.