[doncan]

When the back wheel is off the ground and bike in gear there seems to be a lot of play when you turn the wheel back and forth before it engages something. Is that normal?

 

[AZgl1800]

Yep, normal.
Don't remember just how much it is, but I'm guessing a couple inches of tire travel?

It is the slack in the 3rd member, and the transmission gears.

 

[John J]

When the back wheel is off the ground and the wheel hanging the change in the drive shaft angle has an effect on this. I seem to remember that, strangely, if you have the shocks undone and the swing arm hanging very low the wheel won't turn at all.