Gilson 525 yard find and questions

Thepaetsguy

Well-Known Member
#3
This picture is when it was still setting in the yard.

I don’t know how to explain this really I guess when I first heard the engine run the throttle system itself works. But it was as if the linkage was set to add no throttle at all above idle? Even if the grip was twisted to full throttle. Maybe for a kid?

I’m not thinking I did any real harm but was I correct to loosen the small arm with the rod beside the cylinder head and adjust it to get the 3600rpm‘s? Because with a slight tweak the throttle system now works factory to rev the engine i‘d guess just a tad past 3600rpms and returns to idle fine.
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Thepaetsguy

Well-Known Member
#5
Next am I missing parts of a two speed?

Gearing is as follows
clutch-12t
first jackshaft sprocket 30t
second jackshaft sprocket 12t
axle sprocket 36t

I do have a two speed clutch. it’s very weird this bike has the jackshaft sprocket welded to the jackshaft itself.. But it‘s oriented clutch sprocket inboard.

All other wards/gilsons I have seen have the sprocket also welded to the jackshaft but they are all clutch sprocket outboard?

I’m not complaining because I don‘t need to move the engine over to run a T/Q it will just bolt on and the chains all line up perfect. Does the sound right? FC4BD042-BF5E-4B92-A53C-085D24D2DF6E.jpeg 6E648A6C-CD88-41D8-BF69-675FBBEFDE02.jpeg
 
#7
I'm not seeing a two speed setup. I see a gear reduction jackshaft setup. A two speed would have a second centrifugal clutch on the jackshaft and a one way, overrunning gear on the larger sprocket on the jackshaft.
That big Tecumseh will impress you.
 

Thepaetsguy

Well-Known Member
#8
I'm not seeing a two speed setup. I see a gear reduction jackshaft setup. A two speed would have a second centrifugal clutch on the jackshaft and a one way, overrunning gear on the larger sprocket on the jackshaft.
That big Tecumseh will impress you.
The second clutch sprocket I thought would run back to the clutch on the jackshaft. But wondered if someone ditched parts of the two speed and made it a one speed? Or just tossed on a two speed clutch because they had it. The clutch does say Comet and has Two 12t 35 chain sprockets.
 

Thepaetsguy

Well-Known Member
#9
The clutch being a two sprocket comet clutch brings me to my next question.


the governed 5hp tec is at the moment many words opposite to impressive. It’s at the moment JUST ENOUGH to zing through a field briskly at 3600rpm..

I NEED to take a speed test tomorrow so this is an out loud mental note not to be lazy... If I had to guess maybe 12-15mph after setting the throttle to work correctly.

WHY I’m asking about gearing and the 2 speed parts maybe being missing?

I can not stress this enough it does zing through a field FINE.. BUT get onto the road and it feels like it’s horribly held back.
 

Thepaetsguy

Well-Known Member
#10
The bike is extremely comfortable. Sets well and rides even better. I do understand also it’s not a briggs I’m trying to build for street racing use. So maybe what it has now is all it’s supposed to.
 

Thepaetsguy

Well-Known Member
#13
It finally made it home with you! Congratulations on your find. It was a looong wait but looks like you're happy with it so the wait was worth it. Nice......
Absolutely awesome bike! Needs more speed though! I’m looking to set it up as a non gear reduction jackshaft. I’m looking at sprocket blanks to replace the 36t axle sprocket that bolts to the wheel with a 56-60t
 

Thepaetsguy

Well-Known Member
#14
This thing absolutely blasts..

On the street it’s no fun but what is fun is ditch hopping into the fields the tires float right over the ditches. Just abrupt turn right into a ditch fly over it entirely and start hopping fields.

Once you hit a grass it transforms into a completely different bike. The Tecumseh H50 was rattling at first? That has sense stopped entirely. Now it runs along and sounds exactly like a new Honda generator. Just smooth as silk :scooter::scooter:

This bike sets an adult better then a kid. 30D9D8B9-124A-4A21-8495-8C60FA797C1D.jpeg F2EFB188-2D4D-436D-8748-06D80DC453A7.jpeg
 

Thepaetsguy

Well-Known Member
#15
That two speed comet is extremly light and with the idle stop screw all the way backed out the bike would start then try to move forward at idle. the brake had to be held so it would stay still.

I pulled the two speed clutch and found that shattered keyway only in the bronze bushing the drum key was fine. I swapped on a Chinese equivalent clutch that weighed about 3x as much as the comet.

The bike wouldn’t start. I had to turn the idle up quite a bit. And now it sets on the kickstand and idles smooth. On the street I must of gained 4-6mph with just the clutch swap. I’m guessing the weights in the comet are light for ”first gear”?? Painted Blue reflector cleaned up nice and the NOS sticker removed. F9B1022C-FC69-4DE2-A0ED-71F79F485D2D.jpeg F35CAD9A-AF4D-4C78-B771-27731C5E5288.jpeg
 

Thepaetsguy

Well-Known Member
#16
Wards 525 stickers on eBay for like $20 so I will pick up a new one. Unless I should leave the original on? The paint won’t come off without destroying the sticker.
 

Triley41395

Well-Known Member
#17
Wards 525 stickers on eBay for like $20 so I will pick up a new one. Unless I should leave the original on? The paint won’t come off without destroying the sticker.
Someone on here had a way to remove the spray bomb from stickers but I don't remember who. Might try and search for it before you remove the originals.
 

Thepaetsguy

Well-Known Member
#18
Hilliard extreme duty clutch bushings are cheap. I will pick one up for the duel sprocket clutch weather it sells or not.
The only keyed bushings I can find. E2328AE7-60D6-4751-B7D8-17D67C2AC794.jpeg
 

Thepaetsguy

Well-Known Member
#20
I’m searching around for a 5hp briggs. I plan to do away with the stock jackshaft.

Pull the clips and remove the old jackshaft. Slip the new one in and use keyed split locking collars to hold it in place. Also two locking collars on each side of both c-sprockets. This would make the whole jackshaft setup accept keyed #35 chain C-sprockets available anywhere online cheap. And make it very easy and cheap for me to change gear ratios.
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