Downshift causes racket...
 

Today, I was cruising about 40mph when I started slowing and downshifted to first... When I let out of the clutch, I hear, "clank, clank, clank" from the drivetrain area (not the motor); I re-engage the clutch, hit the pedal down to make sure I'm in first and let out again, works as it should...

Anyone ever had this happen? What could be the cause?

Is there a chance that I wasn't all the way in first... or would something else be the cause?

Yea sounds like you just weren't in gear all the way, and had a little grinding. It happens from time to time. If you drive a manual car, and are in a rush to get work, you'll probably do a bad shift. Let go of the clutch before you're fully in gear. I wouldn't think much of it, unless it happens again.

That's what I figured... I have ground gears in a manual car before, but it didn't sound quite the same and wanted to make sure that's all it was.

Still getting used to riding in my new boots as opposed to my Shift riding shoes.

ive done it on a hard accel...sounds like a blown tranny and it doesnt go anywhere...lol
then you just shift again and it goes. no problem, just dont makea habit of it :-p

Double check your chain tension. It's good to know its not that and only takes a minute

Matter of fact take a look at the teeth on your sprocket and see if they're worn down too. If you chain is a little loose and your sprocket it a little worn it might have been skipping under that hard engine braking

That was the first thing I checked when I got to work this morning... Front & Rear sprockets only have about 2 thousand miles on them...