[Mart]

I agree, that is probably a shift lever alignment dowel.

It is not part of the shaft you pictured. The dowel may have been lost years ago and has been in the bottom of the trans. Remove the trans cover, take the shifter tower off and have a real good look inside with a flashlight. Drain the oil so you can inspect all the gears properly.

If all looks good it is probably ok.

The input and output bearings are ball bearings, so that is not a roller out of a bearing.

Have you stripped and inspected your front wheel bearings?

What, do you think went "snap"?

Maybe that piece got picked up and flung around.

Mart.