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Three Happy Freewheels, A Story of Rescue and Recovery
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Sometime last year, while visiting what we call in my small New Hampshire town, "The Stump Dump," I was able to rescue a few freewheels. They were all filthy, gritty, and either didn't or barely moved. Their "clicks" had disappeared. Their cogs were buried under years of road and chain dirt.
Most Classic & Vintage bicycle enthusiasts would have been sad these mechanical marvels had been so poorly neglected. But not the FreeWheelSpa meister!
Into the spa they went for a full force treatment. A while later, they emerged ready for new grease and oil conditioning!
Most Classic & Vintage bicycle enthusiasts would have been sad these mechanical marvels had been so poorly neglected. But not the FreeWheelSpa meister!
Into the spa they went for a full force treatment. A while later, they emerged ready for new grease and oil conditioning!
Immediately I could see how rejuvenated they felt. Their pawls were beaming and bending back and forth. Their bearings felt as if they had just emerged from the factory. Their housings, spacers and lock rings felt as if they had just been minted at the foundry. Their Cogs and spacers had never felt so clean!! They were very happy for first time in years, if not decades! Before long they were fully reassembled and ready for years of service.
FreeWheelSpa can do for your freewheels and cassettes what these three orphans experienced. Check out my "SERVICES" page. Thanks!
FreeWheelSpa can do for your freewheels and cassettes what these three orphans experienced. Check out my "SERVICES" page. Thanks!
Almost Triplets! L-R, Shimano MF-Z012 6 spd., Suntour Alpha 7 spd., Shimano MF-Z012 6 spd.
and how do you go about figuring out how much washer-space you need for a slightly worn out unit?
For my MF-Z012 12/24 6Speed running SIS, the original chain was Narrow UG 6/7speed =>> 7.3 mm wide - CN-UG50, CN-UG51, CN-7400, CN-6208
I have run HG 50, HG70 & HG91 chains (ie Hyperglide 6/7/8-speed 7.3 mm wide) with success on MF-Z012 12/24 6Speed running SIS with 52/42 Sugino front chain rings.
Frank Berto notes, "As long as you don't use a sprocket larger than 28 teeth tooth shape isn't too critical. When you use 32, 34 or 38 tooth sprockets, you need a proper tooth shape to help the rear derailleur shift. Shimano does this by twisting the teeth so the tooth corners snag the chain when you upshift. It works just beautifully."
Rob
My chain of choice on all my bikes is a SRAM. I like the way they snap apart for cleaning in the Spa!