Yes, first and reverse are not syncronized but they are still operated by a shift fork on the side cover. The L/R slider gear slides on the outer sleeve of the syncronizer drum and either engages the low gear on the cluster gear or the reverse idler which is on a separate shaft in the case. In this situation it is more than likely a clutch related problem.
Fred
It is possible that the fork is damaged, if it does have one. No way to know unless you open it up and can get a good view of the gears and fork. Not a lot to those little boxes.
