I've heard a few things regarding 700R4's, first gear, and stock columns. Some say it can't be done period; some say it will work if you adjust it properly; and some say you can get the detent but the 700R4 will still shift out of first whenever it damn well pleases (seems odd
)
I think I've got mine adjusted, but I still can't get it into first.
One of these days I'm going to replace the linkage with something better, just because it's sloppy as all get-out anyway, and not too good trying to shift it down the track!
(FWIW, I'm using the linkage almost exactly as it was on the THM400 it replaced.)