Historic Ritchey Mountain Bike Freewheel Service!
In March 2019 I had the privilege to service the original Suntour New Winner 6 speed freewheel on an exceedingly early 1981 Tom Ritchey Mountain Bike, serial number 91. Steve in CA had acquired it from a museum in NC. It had not been ridden in decades and the freewheel was locked into a fixed gear. I discovered the adjustable bearing race had been cracked and the inner body not in "round." This probably occurred due to freewheel threads seizing with the hub threads. The force of removal by the two-notch tool deformed the circular shape of the body and caused the crack. Internal cleaning, new parts, and fresh synthetic grease brought this historic Ritchey back to tip top, original riding condition! |
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Custom Vintage Moulton Block Regina CX and Suntour Winner Pro Freewheels
Recently (February 2017) Martin in Toronto, Ontario contacted me. He owns a vintage Moulton bicycle. Moulton made special three-sprocket high geared "blocks" for Regina BX 6 speed freewheels and Suntour Winner and New Winner bodies. These blocks carried the smallest sprockets of 9-11-13 teeth. The Regina block turns the 6-speed into a 7-speed and the Suntour block turns the 7-speed into an 8-speed.
Martin had the Regina BX and wanted lower gears for his 70+ year old legs. He also was able to secure the Suntour block and wanted to see what I might be able to set up and sell to him (also with low gearing). I was happy to take on this unusual project.
Martin had the Regina BX and wanted lower gears for his 70+ year old legs. He also was able to secure the Suntour block and wanted to see what I might be able to set up and sell to him (also with low gearing). I was happy to take on this unusual project.
The finished Regina BX/Moulton custom 7 speed freewheel (above and to the right). I was able to supply Martin with the 15-19-24-31 tooth Regina sprockets. I also serviced the BX body and cleaned the spare sprockets which were originally mounted.
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Sachs 7 Speed after the Spa Treatment
Polished Regina Oro! |
Sachs 7 Speed Exploded View, Cleaned and Ready for Re-Assembly
 Late '70s Gold Maillard!
Above: Custom Built Suntour 15-20-24-28-32-38 |
All in a Day's Work at the Freewheel Spa: March 2017
What you see above is the work I accomplished one day in February 2017. In the above picture the following freewheels received service: Caimi (Everest), Cyclo Competition and 64, Shimano Dura Ace, Suntour Accushift, Perfect, New Winner and Winner.