'85 VF500F Gearshift Linkage Stiff

I'm in the process of putting the engine back in my '85 VF500F. It is now back in the frame, and I ran it through all of the gears. That seemed okay, but the gearshift lever doesn't pop back up or down after shifting. Is this a sign of an assembly error in the gearshift linkage, or is this likely because I'm in the process of reassembling and everything isn't lubricated well yet?

 

That's a question only you can answer methinks.

 

There is a return spring on the gearshift spindle, Check to see if it is back on properly. It is section 8-5 in
the service manual.

 

OMG, an ASSembly error, ya gitty pillock !

If the engine is running, shifting stiffness is most often due to failure of the clutch to fully release: air in lines, low or bad fluid, etc.

 

The engine is not yet running. I was simply looking for some pointers before pulling the subframe and water pump back off...

 

I took it apart and found that all of the gears weren't quite lined up. It seems better now.