Well, after nearly a year and many bucks spent trying to discover why my S3 ran so terrible under 3k, I think I finally have a lead.

Sofar I've cleaned the air filter, changed the coils, put in new plugs, fixed low compression on one of the cylinders, checked the valves, cleaned the Trottle Body mouths, drained and cleaned the fuel tank, changed the fuel filter, unblocked various breather pipes, hunted high and low for air leaks, chucked the Power Commander and put on a stock exhaust along with the correct tune.

All to no avail.

And then this afternoon, whilst sitting in my driveway after another futile run to see if I'd managed to get rid of the problem, I though I'd pull the clutch lever in whilst in neutral and then slowly rev the bike.

And hey presto..smooth through the entire rev range!

I was soo pi$$ed off with it I was one step away from selling it. But now I'm gonna take a long hard look at the clutch.

Anyone have any thoughts what could be the problem with it?

She runs really juddery, nosily and snatchy under 3k, but perfect above it. And the hotter she gets, the worse the problem.

(And to really make my day today, whilst letting my fuel tank dry out in the sun, the wind blew it over and it landed on it's roof..and left me with some nice scratches! )

Does it have one of those links where you can't start it unless the clutch is pulled in, if so I'd look at that!

Yes it does, but thats seems OK.

Unfortunately it seems it might be the clutch basket, a common failing on the 1998 Speed Triple, and 500 quid to replace!

I should know this week..hopefully.

Nope..wasnt anything to do with the clutch.

Changed the front sprocket to a 17 tooth, and thought I'd check the cush drive rubbers..they were really worn!

So I packed them out with old bike inner tube rubber and it's fixed the problem!

And the previous owner knocked off 400 quid because of it!

The early Speed Triples are quite agricultural below 3k, and this was transferring itself directly to the rear wheel.

Good find!

I'll remember that one if I have similar issues. Ta

Hope it might help.

I could'nt believe there had been such a headache from something so simple to fix..and both the Trumpet main dealer and my local mechanic had no idea! I must be a genius!!

Can you tell me where the clatter on my Daytona is coming from then cos I've checked everything I can think of and it doesn't do it whenever I take it to a garage?

Congrats on sorting the problem

They all do that Sir!