The back-end stepping out was more a case of a hardpacked dirt driveway with a fine layer of sand on it, i.e. absolutely zero traction, the exact opposite to the rest of my "backyard" which is paddock/pasture and privides way to much traction and results in almost looping out if I gas it to hard. The Fox Shox were great when I was racing back in the late 70's early 80's. I have yet to set them up correctly, but still have the settings that I last used written in my manual, although I now weigh about 20kg more so may have to change them a bit. From the short ride I had, 1st gear seem to be engaging as it should (hard to remember after 30 years), but I could putt around quite easily in first gear with out any trace of slip. The main clutch drum was one of the few parts in the tranny that needed replacing, being badly worn, all the clutch shoes were just recut and that was about it. I didn't even need to use the spare mainshaft and engagement gear that I found I still had in my box of bits. It is just a case of all hell breaking loose when I opened the throttle fully and the other gears come in to play. It is probably just a case of getting used to the rush of power from a big bore 2 stroke after years of riding and racing 500 Yammies.
CJ