Charon wrote on 06/04/09 at 12:15:43:Or, you could buy a BMW or a Ducati with a dry clutch. That solves the problem of the "clank."
Another tried and true technique is to put the bike in gear, squeeze the clutch, and push the bike forward and backward until the clutch releases. Then go through the normal starting drill.
Done that, used to do it with kick start bikes. Electric starting in gear does a better job. It is that doing so dead cold is hard on the starter so I warm it and shut it off before putting in gear and re starting. With the thumb button kill switch it only take a second and since the engine has then already been run, it fires up with one revolution.
BTW I have ownedf 4 BMWS over the years and still own an R100R.
My 6 Hasrleys were dry clutch as were both my Motoguzzis and both my Russian bikes. My triumph 650 TT racer and my 500 thumper Matchless were semi dry clutch, but now I ride S-40 .
Phelonius