Sorry been away again, I agree that the shaft has been shortened so I have cut it on the weld and will get some tube, weld the gearbox end to the tube and get the gearstick vertical and then weld the the end that comes from the gear stick to it. Thanks for the post about the linkage, mine was hitting the frame until I adjusted the linkage to the dimensions in the manual. I can post the dimensions of the one I have fabricated, I wouldn't use the dimensions from the one that came with it as somebody has taken a hammer to it, tried to straighten it but it was passed saving. Just to mention that before I got into the linkage the shaft that goes into the gearbox was rusted and stiff to turn so after trying to free it up for a few weeks I removed the rear casing and found the shaft all rusted and the internal spring broken, sent it off to Richard and Banks who replaced the shaft and spring for me which took a while as the spring are like hens teeth, might be worth checking while you are at it. Also got a new stabiliser with the rose joints from him.