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Just did an oil change and noticed quite a few metal shavings in the filter and on the magnetic drain plug

Bike seems to be running fine, but I reckon my gearbox may be wearing a bit quicker than normal, so it looks like I may be in the market for a new bike in the future.

Bonus was though, I have found the exact cause of the leak from the rear drain plug. Some gorilla has managed to put notches into the thread insert so the washer is not able to seal correctly. New washer and some gasket sealant, problem solved

I reckon a second hand engine complete is going to be a damn sight cheaper than a gearbox rebuild. Is an engine swap on these bikes a relatively simple affair of unbolting the necessary and rebuilding in reverse, or is there something that will seriously bite me along the way?

Cheers guys

Chatting with Keith - hisnibbs ATM and he said check the clutch release bearing... He says it is an easy job to do and that may well be a good start

Cheers mate, as an aside, is that your exceptionally fast black steed at Mallory on book face?

Actually ... Yes and no - I had black leathers on, keiths was blue....

The bike wAs fast I was not

Keith was fast.... Very fast

Am man who knows his limits I had a dig on another forum and came up with this

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/show ... ing&page=2

Haven't quite got the same symptoms, the bike seems to run fine, and I get nothing adverse through the clutch lever. I am reckoning it may be the gears themselves, as on very rare occasions it hasn't wanted to fully engage from 5th to 6th under hard acceleration.

Will pull the clutch cover off in a minute and check the bearing. This time I won't be starting it up with the cover off inside the house!

Checked the clutch release bearing and it's fine, so further investigation needed. May be the perfect excuse to get myself a spare engine after a word with SWMBO