250-500cc WR 250 NO 1ST? SHIFT BOLT? OR BLOWN 1ST

Hi,
I recently got a 95-98 WR 250 motor from my Husky dealer.
It was used in a non motorbike application (eg. Buggy)

It seems to be in neutral when shifted all the way down (sprocket free-spins).
All of the other gears work, but sometimes it won't select,
unless i go the other way first eg. Up then Down.
Sometimes it won't select a few times in a row.

I have not started it, yet. (was using kick start to turn motor while selecting)

Does this seem like a loose shifter prawl bolt?

I read many other examples of this causing similar problems.

Otherwise, how likely is it that it has a blown 1st gear?
Cheers

Probably not a shift star problem on that motor. Could be a bent shift fork. It would be worth pulling the large clutch cover and having a look at the shift mechanism though.