3rd gear missed upshifts and false neutral

[Goggles Pizano]

2001 M900ie engine  I think roughly 12k miles on engine, generally driven normal but lately have been beating/winding out RPM in every gear.

Recently starting missing the 2nd to 3rd up shift. Results in false neutral that finds its own way firmly back into gear at RPM, 4 times in the past week.  So I figured I would reverse the linkage and the bike got stuck in 3rd and was giving false neutral before I left the driveway.

Got it back into gear by putting linkage back to normal rocking back and forth.

Recently found metal shavings in oil here http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=71624.0.  Valves adjusted 3k ago by dealer.

Coincidence with metal in oil or do I have a problem about to occur?

[Speeddog]

Could be a broken spring on the shifter 'spear', or shift mechanism out of adjustment.

Requires removal of the alternator cover to inspect, a bit annoying as you've just changed the oil.

[Dellikose]

Another cheap and easy check is to make sure all of your rear sprocket nuts are tight. Also check the front sprocket retaining plate.