Okay, I'm too lazy to investigate the Bentley on this...

Ever since I got my Westy, First gear has been a little difficult to
get to. I have to slam the gear shift over all the way to left. This
does not strike me as correct (and my rebuilt transmission is pretty
much identical to this). So this leads me to believe, I need to
adjust something in the shift linkage itself. Perhaps as simple as
loosen the pivot plate. Does this sound like a reasonable assessment?

Of course, then the question becomes, which way do I move it after I
loosen the pivot plate? Left, or right?