Problem Shifting Back into First

[Two Dogs Barking]

Want to start by saying that this bike ( 98 ) is a blast to ride and I wouldn't have gotten it running right without this forum.

A new problem that I have started to have is that the bike has a hard time shifting back into first when I come to a stop. It get stuck in neutral and seems to only go back into first if I rock it back and forth. This has only happened when the bike is nice and warmed up. A problem that may have something to do with it is that there is excessive slack in the shifter that seems to just be some worn out bushings or something.

Any advice?

This is my first motorcycle and first time working on one so my description may be a bit off.

[R0B]

Is the clutch releasing properly.........correctlybled, plenty of fluid, no drag?

Rob

[Mustang]

A problem that may have something to do with it is that there is excessive slack in the shifter that seems to just be some worn out bushings or something.

Any advice?

This is my first motorcycle and first time working on one so my description may be a bit off.

DING DING DING you have found the answer ..........the sloppy linkage causes it . if you look where the rod end is attached to the bellcrank on the shift shaft you will find it is pretty sloppy and the bushing for the pivot on the pedal is probably real sloppy , also the rod end on the pedal side is going to be slop city also . I repaired one of mine with new rod ends from McMaster Carr ...............one of my other tigers (a 98) is now so bad that almost every gear downshifting  is a chore ....double clutch and keep jamming the pedal down , guess its time I fix that one too  :roll:

[Two Dogs Barking]

Thanks for the help guys!

Sounds like a fun little project.