Had a false neutral.

Shifted from 2nd to 3rd and it didn't engage the gear, then all the sudden it caught. Now when I shift from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd it's really hard and sticky. However 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th is still very smooth.

Oil was changed 2,000 miles ago with Motorex (only oil I've ever used in this bike), bike has 20,000 miles on it. Never had any transmission problems before this.

If I pull my slave cylinder to inspect the push rod will I have to bleed the system or anything?

Is my transmission fooked?

Inspected the linkage everything is fine there, I doubt it's the slave or anything to do with the clutch really.

Going to change the oil this weekend and see if there are any large chunks caught in the screen or on the magnets. Hoping it's not the selector forks, meaning pulling the right side covers and $$$.

LOL - just one? They are common on any bike, on occasion ... And the SD 990 transmission is soooooo klunky (think dirtbike), well, I wouldn't worry about it too much. BTW - Did you recently drop or crash the bike on the left?

2K miles may be nothing, and it may also be time for a change. All depends on how you use the bike. If all you've done is roll up and down the 15, then after 2K it should be fine. If you've only been doing an urban crawl (with liberal doses of hooliganism) + a couple track days + some canyon foolishness in summer heat - it may be done. And then there's the matter of the overall condition of an engine and it's state of tune that can impact oil longevity ...

Is it reasonable to presume that you inspect and clean that stupid-ass oil jet every change? Personally, I think the drilling is too small on that thing, and had mine enlarged a bit (by a competent machine shop). First thing I might do is pull that, and have a look.

Also, what's your chain slack like, and is the countersprocket properly fastened? Shift linkage condition? Excess slop in the external drive and shifting components can result in odd transmission behavior on occasion.

I doubt your problem has anything to do with the clutch actuation, or shifting would be shitty for all gear changes ...

Whole 50 mile ride home 1-3 were smooth as butter.

Getting on into the off ramp down shifting from 2nd to 1st was clunky again but it cleared up at the next stop light.

Really weird how on off it is.

You may find your clutch booster is beginning to expire...

I've just changed mine at 27k and the symptoms I had were as follows >

1. sticky gear changes - where the gear wouldn't click in and you stay in the same gear and ride down the road like amateur trying to grab a gear.
2. Banging into gear - sort of like when the chain is too tight and it slides into gear too quickly with a bang.
3. Drive line shunt - excess play in the driveline.

The tell tale sign of this starting is when you hear clunky / rattly noises when the clutch is pulled in half way (in neutral). With a new booster you don't get this.

You may want to take a look at this.