Clutch adjustment - no 3rd to top gear.

Thanks guys. I will double-check the oil level's not over the max mark.

I had a couple of much more knowledgeable guys take a look and they thought it's most likely to be something on the clutch side but suggested I strip and clean all the relevant linkages on the left-side and try adjusting again, before taking off the clutch cover.

A comment on the 'speed related issue' suggested - if it's fine when the bike's moving would that suggest the gear box at least is OK?

[jambo]

Bike and car gearboxes are built differently.

A bike gearbox will not easily step up through the box and down again with the gears not moving (engine off, stationary). This is normal, and if you jump on a factory fresh bike generally you can't pop up and down the whole box at a standstill with the motor off.

Jambo

[Red Herring]

Clutch issues are usually apparent when the bike is stationery, it either slips so you can't get going.... or it won't disengage properly so you can't get it in or out of gear because the drag is preventing the dogs from moving.

Once you are moving all the shafts within the gearbox are turning anyhow so it is quite easy to change gears without the clutch provided you unload the box by easing the throttle the correct amount (and that's the tricky bit), Going up is usually fairly easy, down less so.

So if the issue is when stopped it points towards the clutch (but it can still be gearbox) if it is when on the move it is generally gearbox.

[johnnyrod]

Is there any sideways play in the gearshift shaft? The one the gear pedal is attached to.