1972 CL350 5th gear stops at 6000 rpm

[fluke12]

Every other gear and the bike runs as expected. 5th gear, 6000 rpm, full open throttle, roughly 70-75 mph and it just doesn't climb past it

Some background. Carbs are clean and floats are set, running k&n pods, plugs are good - good color good spark. Valves are adjusted. They were replaced along with oversized pistons about a year ago.

Kind of stumped where to go. Any ideas?

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[alzcbz]

Will it rev out in the lower gears?

What gearing are you running?

 

[fluke12]

Yeah, I can redline if I want in any other gear. As far as I know, its stock gearing. It was pretty complete when I got it, so I have no reason to believe it was changed

 

[alzcbz]

I was just out for a ride on mine. 5th gear @6000RPMs, I'm running just about 60MPH.
I have 17/36(2.118) gearing and I believe stock was 16/38(2.375).

If you are going 70-75MPH @6000RPMs, you must have taller gearing than I have. The motor may not be able to pull more than 6000 in top gear. With my gearing, I can pull through 8000, but that's roughly 75-80MPH.

I would verify your gearing before looking into anything else.

 

[fluke12]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look there next.