Jason, still got your triple? if so we need to talk! I too have a 2nd gear problem, it takes but will not remain engaged, or will lurch and skip some, with accompaning crunching sounds. I simply double shift comming out of 1st gear and just catch 3rd instead...the issue seems to make finding neutral a lot more diffucult too, I have two of these bikes and one is mint and better than new and one is a continuing work. You have one for sale and I suppose I must at least see it if it is yet available...this hobby is more expensive than drugs! Do not change out the header, those motors that had headers when shipped are tuned to have the header and will not run right without a mountain of work if the exhaust is changed out! Just know a good hot battery on these motors is imperative, and the alternator is rather limpid and lazy, and will not really charge the battery enough in cold weather, a trickle charger is almost a must...Also know these motors are really, REALLY, cold natured and will not perform correctly until at running temps! Give her time to warm up for sure. the idle screw is a real monster to get to, and, as the bike goes thru temp changes, the idle will go up and down some. The easiest way to deal with this is to just reach down to the grip end metal adjuster on the throttle cable, loosen the locknut and turn the long chromed nut to expose some threads, this effectively extends the cable covering length while the cable of course remains the same length, be careful tho´ as a single quarter turn at one point can equal 1000RPM increase in your idle, it is rather fussy, but easy to tweak on the road or on the fly. 770-564-1999 (atlanta) call me if it is still for sale, send me your e-mail so I can see the pictures...thanx