Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I don't have to resources or knowledge to do this myself, so I have to rely on a shop, which may or may not level with me on these things. They can always say something like, "well, you need a new clutch", when in fact you don't. It's a business. Unfortunately the only gearhead I now who could help me with this is in Texas right now for a while.
Personally I think it's probably just an adjustment, even though the bile has 26000 mies on it. The bike uses standard "mineral" oil, and it's probably got ~3k on it.