SHIFT PEDAL GETS STUCK ON '81 XJ650H

My 1981 XJ650 shift pedal is stuck when I try and shift up into 2nd and 3rd gear.
This problem is worse right after I get moving but seems to lessen after I've been running for a while. I don't have any problem tapping it down into 1st and most of the time up into 2nd but when I go to tap it up into 3rd it's jammed until I really force it. Can anyone provide some insight as to what is causing this?

 

I had that going on too.. Mine was a gunky buildup of old chain lube around the shifter hole underneath the cover on the sproket shifter side..Maybe try cleaning the area up a little.. But I wouldn't call it jammed I would just say it would get a little stuck..So I dont know if this will help you but I hope so... Good luck..

 

A 650 doesn't have a chain.

bunglejyme, Your problem could be one of three things:

-a mis-adjusted clutch. Start here; lube the cable, make sure it's operating freely and adjust it to spec. You should have 1mm~3mm free play at the lever which isn't a lot. If your clutch is dragging it will make shifting difficult.

-a problem with the shifter "mousetrap" mechanism inside the left side cover where the lever is.

-your primary chain guide has started to disentegrate, and there are big pieces of broken plastic bouncing around on top of the shift forks jamming them. If this is the case, it's often possible to pluck the hunks out through a hole in the inner casing, located just above and forward of the shift mechanism. However, picking the hunks out is only a temporary solution allowing the bike to shift again; if this is what is happening then the primary chain guide will need to be replaced. This involves splitting the cases.

Take it in order; don't make assumptions-- diagnose.