Motorcycle Repair: 2003 Honda VTX 1300 shifting badly, honda vtx 1300, external linkage

Question
when shifting to 3rd gear & up I have to push down a little before it will allow me to shift ;down shifting is not a problem.there is 36000 miles on this motorcycle.

Answer
Hi Randall,
I will start by asking you a question...
Do you ride very aggressively on occasion; like drag racing or burnouts? If you stress the transmission to the extreme it may not be able to absorb the stress without damage. (kinda unusual for Honda's from my experience, they generally have one of the toughest trannys)
Try asking around if other Honda owners have the same or similar issue with their VTX-1300's. Next I would put the bike on a lift that I can run the cycle on, rear tire off the platform. Run and observe the units operation of shifting. Look closely at the shifter and linkage during shifting and where it rests after changing gears, (between shifts). Is the linkage or shifter sitting in a slightly different position when you experience the problem than it is in other gears/changes where you don't have the problem? If so it is likely a damaged part, perhaps external linkage and easy to fix. If not, it may be the shift fork or mechanism internally.
Best wishes,
Terry. :)