Setting air gaps is all fine and dandy if you have access. But if you don't (like those of us with scattershields) then you have to use the pedal freeplay as your measurement - which I've always done anyway.

1" of pedal movement is just about right and everything should work fine and perform well.

The only time I had the pedal sticking as you describe it was because the plastic bushings in the bellcrank were shot and causing it to bind. So if everything isn't new, look for something binding.

Just to satisfy your curiosity, adjust all the free play out of the assembly and see if that little extra is enough to make the pedal pop all the way up.

Doesn't hurt to grease the pins where the O/C spring mounts - the spring does actually move on those pins during pedal travel.

FWIW - that small spring on the fork just keeps all the slack out of that assembly - it has no affect on the pedal.