The lever angle and rod length can be adjusted at the rear coupler. No effect on internal workings. Mine goes in R just fine.

Agreed - the lever angle can also be set by the exposed length of the front ball cup stud: I guess my point was more to the issue of whether anything in the linkage would cause this ...which I thought unlikely, especially were it working correctly prior to the trans R&R.
Matts note on chewed up shifter bushings & springs would result in a most obvious sloppy shifter - but that should have been evidenced in a first gear selection issue prior to the trans R&R if it were the cause.

In the situation I related to it was only 5th gear which I can only think that the internal shift drum and shift forks had to move further and required precise actuation of the shift linkage.

Then again there are no syncros on a m/cycle.............no need!

To complete the adjustment record, it's at the rear coupler that the side-to-side angle of the lever can be adjusted.

And if you've got slop, check that rear coupler. The bushings and pin can wear.

I hear Mobil synth tranny lube works wonder too.
Maybe trying that to see if it cures 2nd gear graunch when cold.

My tranny's reluctance to go into 1st feels like the reverse lockout is hanging up.
Put it in 2nd and it'll plop right into first when cold and stopped.

Sometimes at a stoplight, I instinctually shift first into 2nd. Then put it in first.
NYC drivers don't tolerate me trying to find 1st gear after light goes green . . .

Ernest (NYC)

Ernest...I feel your pain man...