SolBadguy

I got a set of wheels off of another Schwinn so I can get my dad's Schwinn back on the road. I need to take this greasy Atom freewheel off of this hub. Is there a Park Tool number anyone could provide for it?

Lascauxcaveman 

Park FR-4 is the tool I've used to pull several Atom 77's

(Greasy is good, BTW. But maybe not that greasy)

Metacortex

That appears to be a Schwinn Model F2 or F3 freewheel (mfg. by Maillard in France), which has a large 30mm/24-spline hole. To remove that you will want a tool equivalent to either a United Maillard or a Bicycle Research CT-3 removal tool.

This is another version of the Maillard/CT-3 tool, however since it comes from outside the US the shipping time is fairly long: Vintage Schwinn Maillard Freewheel Removal Tool Stingray Varsity Raleigh Ct 3 24 | eBay

There is unfortunately no Park tool like these.

SolBadguy

Oof. Of course I have to get the wheel than needs an expensive, specialized tool. Thanks for setting me straight on the manufacturer, I knew it was French but thought Atom for some reason.

pastorbobnlnh 

If you can take a road trip north up I-93 to Concord, NH and then another 30 minutes north on I-89, I can pull the freewheel for you. Or if you are not too far from Nashua, I'm guessing Goodales (LBS) has this tool.

Pompiere

I got a Park FR-4 from Harris Cyclery to pull the Atom freewheel on my Peugeot tandem.

Ed.

I'm 90% certain that tool exists in my junk box, and not too far from you. (Tho if I were you, I'd take the Medic up on his offer. He has a wonderful congregation, and no doubt they will all come out to meet you.)

bikemore 

I am thinking it takes a Park FR-4. Looks too small for the CT-3 type tool. I have an old Schwinn Approved FW sitting on my desk at work (don't ask why). I work on 495, but a bit west of the the Merrimack. I have both tools and a really big wrench, plus extension.

southpier

qell bummer indeed ....but the good news is that i was able to order the UM from ebay - 29.98 - estimated shipping time two weeks. the Peugeot will live to ride another day!

thanks for the good information Metacortex

Metacortex

@southpier glad I could help!

gaucho777 

@Metacortex, are you sure about that CT-3 tool? The link you provided for the United Maillard freewheel tool looks right, but the link for the CT-3 doesn't appear to be the right tool (low, flat splines instead of the angled splines seen on the OPs freewheel).

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think this may work (~$10 with shipping):
Park Tool Fr 4 Atom Splined Freewheel Remover | eBay

juvela

if it is the small Atom splined remover size the splines have a V cross section, akin to saw teeth, rather than the rounded cross section shown on the ebay tool. ebay tool looks more like the Shimano pattern of splines.

Phil Wood made an investment cast remover for the small Atom splined which is thin wall so the axle locknut and spacer do not need to be removed.

SolBadGuy you are not mistaken with the use of Atom vs Maillard. Atom is one of the brand names of Maillard.

Metacortex

I'm positive. I have both tools and while the CT-3 does look strange with flat shallow splines it does engage perfectly. At first I thought it would be weak and possibly strip but I've used it multiple times with an impact gun to remove these freewheels.

The Park FR-4 is only 21.6mm in dia. and with 20-splines it doesn't come close to matching the 30mm dia./24-spline Maillard/CT-3 tool.

The confusion stems from the fact that older Atom/Maillard freewheels did use the smaller spline tool. For the freewheels supplied to Schwinn they changed to the large spline version (Model F2) in mid-'73. Below are pics of a '71 to mid-'73 vintage Model F and a '75+ vintage Model F3 freewheel. Both the F2 and F3 versions have the same large spline hole.

juvela

thanks very much Metacortex!

much easier to see without all the schmutz in the way...

Metacortex

No problem! For some reason I've been obsessed with Schwinn freewheels, I've managed to collect just about all of the Model F and J variations as well as to document where and when each one was used.

Yes indeed, but even with the schmutz I can tell that the one in the OP is a Model F2.

juvela

always hated these because of the seemingly pointless outer guard...and then there was that silly black plastic dirt seal and all the drag it made.

unlike you, i went in the avoidance direction.

the forum is most fortunate to have you so on top of this...amongst many other velo matters of course!

Metacortex

I always *liked* those features. I do believe they were included at Schwinn's request, and the reasoning behind them was explained in a Mar. '70 Bicycling Magazine article. If undesired both the seals and outer guard are easily removed, not by me though.

juvela

yes, those features were included on the Schwinn Approved Yoshi fw's as well...

gaucho777 

Copy that. Thanks for the info.

bikemig 

This is a useful thread even though it's been dead for 5 years. Thanks to Metacortex for a ton of good info on these Schwinn approved Maillard freewheels. I'm fixing up an early 70s Gitane mixte and I have a set of wheels I pulled from a 70s Peugeot UE 8. It has one of these freewheels which makes me think that the threading is likely English and that the wheels were not original to the bike. I don't have the Bicycle Research CT 3 tool though,

It's 30 mm in diameter. The only source I've found for the tool is a seller in Greece (why Greece? no idea) who has cornered the market on these with 10 on hand, :

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Maillard-FR...EAAOSwYxBaEU-~

At $38 shipped that's too rich for my blood for a tool I will use once.

Here is the freewheel:

no67el 

Not sure about the "older" part: I have an Atom 77 from a 1980's Peugeot PFN10, which had the narrower splined freewheel opening, and the Park FR-4 removed it perfectly. I also have a Maillard freewheel from a 1974 Moto Grand Jubile which has a splined opening which is much larger--- so I presume that needs the special Maillard tool which the gentleman from Greece sells on the auction site... like you, bikemig, I am staying away from that price. I did buy a special TA/Stronglight crank remover which I've used quite a bit..... but that's just too specialized... Would be nice to have in the toolbox, but not $38 nice.

The difference in diameter between the two openings is pronounced--- you'd never mistake the one for the other, I think.

..N

Jeff Wills

Have you talked to an older, established bike shop? There were bazillions of these installed on Schwinns years ago and an older shop should have the tool.

Bad Lag

I have the tool you need. It's from about 1970 but is as good as new. No, honestly, I do.

Come on over. I'll let you borrow it.

Oh, I forgot, COVID-19 and all that,... never mind.

bikemig 

it won’t be hard to do the social distancing thing given that you live in SoCal and I live in Iowa. Just sayin.

nlerner

I have that tool as well, Miguel. Glad to mail it to you for a rental.