First and foremost I attempted a number of searches using "site:superhawkforum.com (keywords)" and didn't have much luck regardless of phrasing so I guess I am going to just ask.
2001 SuperHawk 28K miles
I put in new Barnett clutch fibers yesterday and now I am having issues getting this bike into first gear ( running or not). It was fine prior to the change.
It will go in but you really have to put some pressure on the shifter and will at times grind.
Inspected the metal disks, none were warped, cleaned and scuffed them with scotch bright and reinstalled in original order and orientation.
Was also replacing chain/sprockets and when I pulled the front sprocket cover I went ahead and pulled the clutch rod to clean it. I noticed it had an ever so slight bend near one end.
(I noticed the shift issue before the chain and sprocket went in, so I don't think that is in play in any way but thought I should mention)
Could the combination of new fibers and a slight bend in the rod be my culprit?
The guy assisting has done a bunch of sport bike clutches and said at times, with a new clutch, neutral can be hard to find until you put a few 100 miles on it but hadn't seen this behavior with not wanting to go into first.
So, give it a few 100 to see if the clutch just needs break in, order the rod, flip the rod so the bend is the other way ( I didn't notice it when I pulled it so I am not sure it want back in with the bend in the same orientation) or head down another path?
Any help you all can provide would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

OK, I am dumb.....I had done manual CCTs the week before and in the down time between that and the clutch work I reinstalled the factory exhaust.
The left side wasn't pushed all the way in and was stopping full range of motion on the shifter. SMH.