01 650 Won't Upshift - Grrr
 

After taking my bike out of storage this year I'm having gearbox problems that I haven't had in the past. Most of my 2-3 shifts take 2-3 tries to get it into gear, and there were ocassional problems with the 3-4, and 4-5 upshifts. I do not have any problems downshifting into any gear.

Well, I popped off the clutch cover and adjusted the clutch there first, and at the handlebar second. Right now there is about 1/2" of play at the clutch lever, but I also tried it with no play and that didn't help either. While the cover was off I cleaned all the crap off the gear shaft (or whatever it's called) that goes into the tranny from the shift linkage, and off everything else. I also popped off the rubber boots on the shift linkage and used WD40 to make sure they were clean and lubed (which they were).

I have already changed the oil twice this year thinking at first that the problem was with the oil. I'm running Amsoil MC which I've never had any problems with. The oil level is not overfilled (about 3/16's below full). I've also posted this on svrider and have not been given an answer that solves the problem. Oh yeah, and I don't stunt and am probably a lot easier on it than most of you guys since a lot of the miles are commuting. It's a 01, only 5500 miles on it now so the clutch better not be going out. I've owned it since new and have done all maintence myself.
Any ideas? It was fine before I put it away for the winter. Could anything have happened to the tranny itself?

Well you've done the obvious and checked the clutch adjustment.

Is the gear lever free on the shaft? It's not unusual for the lever to get a bit stiff, when it does the centring spring can't overcome the resistance of the lever, thus the ratchet can't reset itself.

Yes the shift lever is not stiff. It moves freely on the shaft with little effort.

Check that your footpeg is not loose. I suffered the exact same problem and found out that all it was was the footpeg loose.

although lever moves freely on shaft, it,s when you take it that bit further to change gear that it becomes tight. it used to happen all the time to mine. i got so fed up taking it off,cleaning and greasing that i reamed out the gear lever bush so it,s as slack as p**s. gear change is superb now.