[macmac]

I can't help other than I don't believe you need to remove the cover because if I am correct that rod is below the cover.

Would one end or both be rust bound tight? Every so often I lay my bike down on about 6 moving blankets with the saddle bag off on the down side and lube that rod.

I can't say, but if you are in the habit of riding out 2nd gear to bounce off the rev limiter the shift fork would be my guess. A few missed shifts would do that.

Sometimes high miles will wear a fork too, but I sure hope that isn't it.