1) When I turn it by hand, having removed the cassette sprockets, it is hard to move and does not spin freely like usual. Did not know about the rubber seal but that could also be the problem. We do not have any spare 8 speed cassette ATB wheels.
2)If I cannot get the back half of the Gyro running I will have to go to a straight shot rear brake cable set up. Agreed that it is more important that the entire bike is tuned up and safe.
3)I grew up working in my Dad's bike shop which he owned for 27 years and I owned my own bike shop for 17 years. Since I have oodles of experience I am the senior mechanic there and I always help out all the rest of the volunteers. I try to salvage just about everything except Huffys, Murrays, Iversons and the bottom of the dreck heap !