In my opinion u r depending on hear say opinion that may be wrong. for example some one might say it has metal just to sale a job or new cycle. and i am assuming that u never even tried to shift it. so if i am right about this u have no idea what is the problem actually is.
now it might be clutch adjust,clutch apply parts,spring,old oil or bent forks or trans gears.
if i had been working i would have tried to duplicate the prob or at a minimum drop the pan to verify the prob. it seems that u r taking the long way around but some times that works also.