Shifter fork wear confirmation

[AUTOMAN]

Someone mentioned gear dogs-JanP?-

Lack of dogs(rounded) and/or sloppy forks will tend to slip outta gear.
Usually on accel., but sloppy 5th may mean gear is wobbling on shaft.
Kaw had to go to bronze bushing on the 5th gear.

 

[padgett]

Is the wear on the shift fork pads exactly even? Uneven wear might point towards a bent fork.
I can prolly mike a fork or two see if it seems like your's is excessively worn.
Mikes Xs used to sell "overdrive" 5th gears, it was one of the pair with 1 tooth (more IIRC).

the middle fork is more worn than the two outside ones. All are worn but the middle is worst. But the channels on the shift drum aren't worn down, and neither is the star gear mechanism. Forks are worn but I don't think its the crux of my issue. I'm debating replacing them with the information I have now.

I do really want an OD 5th but I also don't want to put a part Mikes sells that deep into my engine, or put any more money into Mikes pocket, frankly.

If theres a more trustworthy OD 5th from a better seller, i'll install it.

 

[gggGary]

AFAIK That's the only game in town. If anyone else has it they'll also be sourced from the same fart east factory...