Broken return spring ????

[Bill Owens]

Tricking cycle car powered by 2004 Stone hydro with 28,000 miles. Even though its in the car the linkage is as simple as one on bike.
I have cleaned the linkage and problem persists. Down shifting is no problem, up shifting is requiring 4 or 5 times the effort as it should, did.
Regardless it  looks like I have to open it up. Nothing in drained oil. If not the spring, any suggestions on what to look for.
Responses appreciated.

[Idontwantapickle]

Bill,
You might remove the linkage from the selector arm on the transmission and try to shift it through the gears just to make sure the linkage isn't the culprit. You'll need a wrench or something similar to use as a lever on the arm. If it still doesn't behave then it will have to come apart regardless of the reason. If it's not noisy then there is a good chance it is just the spring.

Hunter

[Tom H]

Effort as in harder to move the lever makes me think linkage. I've had hard shifting due to crud build up on the linkages as well as around the lever on the trans.

Broken return spring "usually" shows up as when you shift up or down you need to move the shift lever back to "center". Let's say pull up the lever to shift to second, then pull again for third and nothing happens, still in second. Touch the shifter back down just a "touch to center" and then pull up again and now your in third.

Sounds like an interesting machine!

Good luck!
Tom

[Bill Owens]

Thanks to Hunter and Tom. Saved me from pulling transmission. Gave the linkage a real cleaning by pulling ball joints apart and tweeked adjustment. Also noticed some wear on one joint. Shifting is not perfect but very much improved.Have new heim joints with seals ordered. Sweet!

[Tom H]

If you still having problems up shifting. Not sure if the newer trans still has it, but there was an adjustment on the outside that I think adjusted the shift drum to make up or down easier. My bikes always shifted fine, or were cruddy up and down so I don't think the adjustment would have done me any good.

Maybe someone that knows more about the adjustment bolt can fill us in. Or go to Greg Benders web site and look through the old Loop frame manuals.

Good luck,
Tom

[Bill Owens]

Tom,
Tried that on my first go around. Went almost half a rotation clockwise and same counter, no dice so left it where I started.