No excuse at all i said i would still race him but i know i would lose because i would have to start off in 3rd gear. BTW i painted the bike it cost me nothing at all… its like people buying a car that has a slipping clutch. like chris said i didnt know it was bad untill i got used to it. i got a real good deal on it. its totally driveable and everygear is fine untill you get to high rpms in 2nd…