Cam Chain Tensioner and Sticky Gears

I usually ride with ear plugs so never really hear the noises from the engine but today I went over to the shops without them in a heard what sounded like ticking coming from the front end. I have a '99 Curvy and have had a look on eBay for '03 CCTs but can't find any. Might just replace both with 03's if I can.

On to my gears. They've been nice and smooth for months but recently I've found it quite hard to shift. I'm having to put more force into my shifts otherwise it gets stuck. Same with downshifts. Going to adjust clutch tonight and chain tension. Any other things that could cause gears to get stuck and just be relatively stiff?

Oil overfilled (has it been topped up recently?)
Or old sludgy oil can cause gears to become less slick.

Other than that clutch and chain as youre doing

[punyXpress]

When did you last clean/grease gear pedal pivot ?

Erm... Not greased the pivot since I bought it ~10,000 miles ago. Will do that tomorrow after I've had the Carbs synched and restriction removed.

[maviczap]

Make sure the clutch worm drive & mechanism isn't covered in crud thrown from the chain.

Take sprocket cover off & have a quick look

With a rag in place underneath to catch crap. Take the sprocket cover off, arm yourself with a wd40 can, and have a field party, Spray everywhere. Rag off what you can, spray again, wiggling, changing gear, anything to lossen up pivot points. Stop for a coule of mins then do it again. Now you gt85 (halfords do it, or any spray on lube) stop the wd40 dring anything out (it's not a lube, think of it as more of a cleaner) If that's what making it sticky it will be unstuck now. But I think that a ticking cam chain, sticky gears, mean I'd be inclined to change the oil and filter and make sure it's the right viscosity.