Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I had something similar on my SV when it had been stood for ages.

I'd be inclined to remove the gear lever from the shaft and clean it up, theres a little fibre washer on there that you need to remove, but be careful and dont damage it as you cant buy it on its own, if you knacker it you'll need a new lever.

Take the lever off, clean all the road grime out of it and the shaft it sits on, then refit it.

I'd be inclined to try that first before you start delving deeper into the gearbox.