I have a Richmond 5 speed and it should not be difficult to shift (which is what the Doug Nash transmission later became). Before you spend the money switching from a short shifter to a long shifter, make sure your existing shifter is properly adjusted. The Richmond uses an external shifter and linkage. There are several bolts through the center of shifter assembly. If they are too tight, the shifter becomes very difficult to shift. I don't recall whether you'll need to loosen only the center bolt or the two bolts to either side.
