flimflam_machine
Devout Dirtbag
I've just swapped the 5-speed freewheel on my early 80's Raleigh for a 6-speed (both Suntour Perfect). It seems to fit fine with minimal derailleur adjustment, so I assume I've got a narrow-spaced "Ultra Six". When the 6-speed freewheel came off the donor bike it had a large washer/spacer 1-2m thick that sat around the threaded section on the (Maillard) hub, holding the freewheel slightly further out. Is this washer necessary? I can't see that it serves a purpose except perhaps preventing the face of the freewheel from seizing onto the hub if it were to corrode. The chainline would be better without it and there wasn't one on my bike when I took off the 5-speed. So, can I lose it?
The other weird thing about the 6-speed is that it appears to be slightly off-centre with respect to the hub axle. When freewheeling, although the sprockets aren't turning they oscillate as if they're slightly eccentric to the axle. The only reference I can find to that is here, which suggests that a minor rebuild might be beneficial. Has anyone else noticed this or (more importantly) had a freewheel spectacularly fail from it?
The other weird thing about the 6-speed is that it appears to be slightly off-centre with respect to the hub axle. When freewheeling, although the sprockets aren't turning they oscillate as if they're slightly eccentric to the axle. The only reference I can find to that is here, which suggests that a minor rebuild might be beneficial. Has anyone else noticed this or (more importantly) had a freewheel spectacularly fail from it?