silferion

I got this 5 speed wheels from a friend for free. I'm just curious if there's any way for you guys to identify what kind of freewheel is this and how to remove this. It got 20 splines and I have no tools for that. It's attached on a SR hub. My initial speculation is this is a 120 or 126 threaded hub given it's a 5 speed and it's quite old.

Here's the picture

noobinsf 

Park Tool remover with 20 splines: https://www.parktool.com/product/fre...26%20Freewheel

davester

You need to clean all the crud out from the recessed circular part so that you can read the brand name and model. My guess is that it is either a Suntour Perfect (which may be labelled either "Suntour" or "Maeda") or a Shimano of some kind. Once you figure that out you will know which splined freewheel remover will fit. You will then need a vise of large crescent wrench to turn the remover with. Or, you can just go to the LBS or bike coop and I'm sure they will remove it for a nominal fee.

Actually @noobinsf is correct. See here: https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...freewheel-type

silferion

My friend and I tried to go to a local shop but they don't have the tools either. We were planning to convert this one to single speed. I got this one for free so I would like to remove it with no cost but I guess it's impossible given that the tool the other person mentioned above is something I don't have.

silferion

Just cleaned the grease. It's a Schwinn Approved. The tool mentioned above fits I guess. Thanks for the replies.

Soody

If you're happy destroying it, and don't want to buy any special tools, do this:

Jeff Wills

Yes, many of the "Schwinn Approved" freewheels were made in France by Atom. The Park FR-4 tool looks better than the original Atom tool in that you don't need to remove the spacer on the axle. This was SOP back when I was working on Schwinns in the early '80's.

davester

Well, every bike is a "single speed" if you don't move the shift lever. Frankly, I don't see the point in making such a "conversion". You would be spending extra money on parts to do nothing but reduce the versatility of the bike.

Soody

It's quite a lot of work converting because you probably should re-space the axle and re-dish the wheel to get a straight chainline
It's not quite as nice imo but a cassette wheel is much easier to convert because you can keep the dish and axle spacing the same and move the cog around with spacers to get your chainline.

Soody

looks cool and its fun

davester

Well, that's just, like, your opinion man.

noobinsf 

This aggression will not stand, man.

pastorbobnlnh 

The Schwinn Approved freewheels were made by Maillard (France), Shimano and Suntour (Japan). Clean a little more grease and grime off and I bet you will find "Japan" on the same black plastic ring. Suntour made very few SA freewheels and those usually were equipped for a 2-Notch removal tool. Which leaves you with a Shimano made SA.

Personally, and this is no surprise to anyone here on C&V, I hate to see a freewheel destroyed as Soody suggests. Since you are located in New Zealand, silferion , maybe we can connect you with a fellow C&Ver who has the appropriate removal tool. Also, your axle will need to be removed because the tool will not fit.

JohnDThompson 

I've always liked those Schwinn Approved freewheels, with the plastic seals.

The Park FR-4 may fit over the locknut. Otherwise, it shouldn't be necessary to remove the entire axle to get the tool to seat; just removing the locknut is often sufficient. And the Zeus and Phil Wood freewheel tools are thinner than the Park, and may fit over the locknut. If you can find a Zeus or Phil tool in NZ, that is…

branko_76 

I have nothing against converting an old ten speed to a single speed if one gear is all you need. One big advantage for doing so is the bike will lose a pound or so in weight.

Go for it but get the right tools and do it with style, isn't that what single speed is all about?

John E

... until you have to slog up a hill ...

repechage

B fit at best.
Phil tool for Atom / Regina freewheels or remove the axle lock nut and some spacers and an old Atom remover with the axle sized bore. Service hub after freewheel removal.

FBOATSB

I'm going with Schwinn Model "J" (Shimano) with the chain drop ring removed and I have the tool for it.

Chuckk

Did an Atom freewheel off a Campy hub yesterday. with the Park tool.
The drive side axle lock nut was too big to fit the tool in, but remove it and the axle spacers on that side slide out, leaving plenty of space for the tool.
What I used to do before I got the tool was pull out the 110v wire welder and put a spot on the outside where the face and gears move past each other, then use a chain whip or just grab the gear teeth in a vise and spin.
I got the tool to save Regina freewheels
Seems like the Maillard freewheel spines are a much larger diameter.

Bad Lag

I have the older version of THESE for THOSE -




But you do have to remove the locknut and spacer to use it.

As it turns out, I have a lot of vintage bicycle tools.

old's'cool

Lighten up, man

noobinsf 

Okay, but can we all agree that the Phil tool really ties the room together? (I promise, that’s the last one.)

randyjawa 

I have several freewheel removers, collected over the years. The splined ones are great. The four tab ones are sort of OK but the two tab ones are not to my liking...