[Ken Bergen]

When it won't shift does the shift lever move freely or not move?

The shift mechanism is inside the front transmission cover and can be accessed without removing the engine.

 

[Ken Bergen]

The footpedal becomes solid, not moving up or down.

That would seem to point to your suspicion of a dragging clutch loading the gears and making shifting difficult.

Of course it could be something else but I see nothing in the linkage under the front cover that would cause that.

 

[Ken Bergen]

Shifting a motorcycle without using the clutch is easily done, some riders might not even notice if it quit releasing until they stopped. If the clutch didn't work he would have trouble getting it in gear when not moving and it would be obviously the problem.

I had no idea that you know gts1999 and his skill level.

My mistake!