Originally Posted by
StarBiker
Yeah, I was trying to explain it to an experienced bike mechanic today and was surprised he didn't know what it was. Me butchering the word didn't help.
I got my first job as a bike mechanic in 1990, worked in that roll on and off (mostly on) for the next 16 years. I saw two (2) Heliocomatic hubs during my career.
I think their rarity was primarily a result of their exceptionally poor durability... AFAIK they were included on bikes from the factory up until the mid 80s, but almost none remained by 1990.