Thanks for the info Dave. I do have a mate with a 10ton press and a liking for free beer !
This is pretty basic, but I assume there should be no movement in the rod at all ? I've never really looked at it before, and can't remember ever checking it. My gearchange is pretty rough, but I've always thought "because Moto Guzzi".
Looking closely at things, the front bearing is in the reaction rod, and the rear is in the axle housing. Unless I can press it off in place (kinda hard to do) that'll have to come off. Oh well, I'm almost due rear tire anyway.
I found a source (my first post) for the front bearing, anyone (Roper-san?) got a source/part# for the rear bearing ?