Twice the following has happened. Leaving on a cold motor after sitting a couple of weeks I can't shift out of first gear, it feels solid like it's mechanical. If I take the load off or stop it works fine. After riding awhile and the bike is warmed up it works. I thought the plates may have been sticking so the last time I parked it I made sure it was in neutral. Happened again today, could'nt shift out of first. With the clutch pulled in there is no creep when the throttle is applied, there is no slipping of the clutch when in high gear and under a load. The clutch lever has the right amount of clearance? Any ideas, bike is 1998 Electraglide Classic with 37,000 miles.

 

Two things come to mind. The first, the friction plate tabs that go into the outer clutch hub have worn into the hub, like a slot, they can drop into place effectively locking the clutch together. Expansion from the engine warming up could let them release.
Second the clutch plate could be worn enough to be below the max wear allowed in the stack depth. Despite the lever throw being set right, it may not be moving far enough to release. Check the ball ramps on the tappet side for wear. Fastrider 124

 

What fluid are you using in the tranny?

When it's real cold, and until the tranny warms I have the same issue with the shifter not wanting to "click" up or down until I give it a firm push, sometimes more than once to get it to move.

But because it acts normal warm and in typical riding weather during the summer I figure the fluid is just a little too thick for smooth cold weather operations.

Maybe there's more to it?

 

Sounds like the clutch is dragging.

Here`s what I would do, simple cheap stuff first...

Make sure the clutch and cable are properly adjusted.

Make sure the linkage is not binding, also make sure the shift lever at the transmission is tight on the shaft.

Check/adjust the shift pawl.

Inspect throwout bearing under the cover on the right side of transmission.

Disassemble clutch and inspect (this is last because of the 30 dollar gasket...)

 

Thanks for the responses, was pretty sure it was/is a clutch problem because it goes away when warmed up. If a mechanical problem warm should not make a difference. I'm using sythenic(?) in the tranny and and a blend in the primary. Guess I was hoping against hope that it may have been something else.