Originally Posted by
chez00
Hmmm. 1st gear doesn't roll on the needle bearing while 1st is engaged, so it's not that. If it was a major shaft bearing it would make the noise throughout all the gears and it would be there most of the time, most noticeable at idle (usually). Maybe 1st gear is grinding against the pinion or the hub when under load, (due to the helical cut driving it forward)? If this is the case, when you change the oil - I'd recommend doing this anyway - there will be metal shards in the oil, and the oil would look very shimmery.
1. Check belts as others have advised
2. Drain oil and check for metallic shimmer