Service Bulletin but not for the RS?

[Grumpy Goat]

Since the spring clip isn't (or likely isn't) installed, does the forward end of the shaft slide aft, off of the spline?

Yes. That’s why I didn’t bother installing the spring clip after I bought it. The main benefit is that it should hold the shaft in place while you drop the FD, unlike what happened to me the first time I pulled my shaft (as you would see in the video). Knowing that there is no clip I just make sure to hold the shaft in place as I rotate the FD down. If I were to bring the bike to the dealer I’d make sure to tell them to watch out for this potential event.