I've got an 97 F3 ~25k miles, the previous owner had the same problem.

I'll get to ~95mph in fourth gear and it will stick there at full throttle, changing to a higher gear only lowers the engine speed..

I'm assuming this is abnormal, any help to start troubleshooting?

Also, this forum has been a great help!

 

Main jets plugged? Maintenance history?

 

Sounds like restrictor washers to me.

 

Wow..

So I decided to clean the carbs today. While removing them I noticed they weren't clamped to the engine at all. They were just sitting on top, not even completely lined up.

I'm very much a rookie when it comes to working on motorcycles, but this just seems ridiculous.
Am I going to have to worry about engine damage now?
Its been running pretty good since I've bought it though... The low-ish gas mileage makes some sense now.

 

I decided to just seat the carbs right and that made a world of difference in general performance, it feels so different I'm still getting used to it.

However, while acceleration and throttle response is certainly improved, I'm still having the same problem.
It literally stops right at 95.

I don't think it'd be restrictor washers because I'm in the US, right?
I'll actually check and clean the carbs / jets the next chance I get.

 

Will it rev to redline in lower gears, say 3rd on up? Seems pretty odd, and does sound like a restrictor, to be hitting a wall like that. The restrictor business is only an EU thing as far as I know.

 

Just tried to redline in third. Stuck at ~12.5k st and still maxed out at 95.
It'll redline in 1st and 2nd no problem.
Guess I'll look more into the restrictors.

I forgot to mention, I think it has an aftermarket exaust (micron?) and a K&N air filter. The front and rear sprockets are stock.

 

Just an off chance, but make sure the slides are completely free.

 

I'm not completely sure what to look for? Do you mean is there any obvious obstruction?

Also, are there usually rubber caps on the ports you'd use to sync the carbs? If so, and they were missing, would that cause problems?

 

Just stick your finger in there and push them up and let them fall. Smooth action and not catching.

Yeah, having vacuum leaks if the nipples were uncovered would cause all kinds of hate and discontent.