Im finishing up my engine swap and figured while I had the cover off I would clean out all the gunk inside.  What a mess.  I also applied some WD-40 to the gear selector and cleaned it up.

Every time I install the sprocket cover now and put on the gear shift lever to test it, it binds up.  The lever will move, but it sticks in position.  I tried a couple of different things and no luck.

So, dumb question... does the shaft have to be greased before a cover is reinserted?  I'm trying to find some grease around the house as I type this.

Thanks!

I used some Castrol chain grease to lubricate the chain. Bought a can at Canadian Tire. Some of it dripped on the gear lever shaft and that might have contributed to how easy it was to get the sprocket cover back on. Maybe some butter will work. I've used butter before to grease things. Don't ask 

Sounds like your cover is hanging up on something as you install it and isn't sitting straight, or the selector shaft is bent.

The selector shaft may have had a slight bend in it.

When I was removing the engine from the bike, I never put the sprocket cover back on and I remember the engine falling a few cm and then hitting the shaft.  I gave it 2 light taps with a brass hammer in the opposite direction and now everything is as smooth as butter.

I'm going to do some replacing of parts this winter when I do the overhaul on my (better) engine.

Mental Note:  put sprocket cover back on before attempting to install/remove engine.

You're lucky!