Removing Shimano FF system
04-08-23, 12:17 PM
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Removing Shimano FF system
To help support a school event, I took an old Panasonic off someone’s hands for $5. I didn’t notice at the time, but it has this goofy FF (Front Freewheel) system. The rear wheel rim is trashed so this thing is more likely to get stripped for a few semi-useful parts, but if I had a replacement rear wheel, I have plenty of other stuff laying about to make a functional bike for my family.
The bike is a Panasonic Villager III. What I could use help on is this:
1). Buried under that bizarre crank system, is there a standard English thread BB frame threading that a proper cartridge BB can be installed in?
2) Will I need access to any unusual tools to remove either cranks or the current BB thing? I have a standard crank puller and a Shimano BB tool.
Thanks!
Otto
The bike is a Panasonic Villager III. What I could use help on is this:
1). Buried under that bizarre crank system, is there a standard English thread BB frame threading that a proper cartridge BB can be installed in?
2) Will I need access to any unusual tools to remove either cranks or the current BB thing? I have a standard crank puller and a Shimano BB tool.
Thanks!
Otto
Last edited by ofajen; 04-08-23 at 01:18 PM.
04-08-23, 01:47 PM
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04-08-23, 05:48 PM
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The FFS was designed to install on the typical bike of that time, so 68mm threaded BB shell and common English freewheel threads. The BB cups use a Shimano FW tool, the UG one IIRC. Andy
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04-08-23, 07:34 PM
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Otto
04-08-23, 09:01 PM
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the FFS came in both 1 piece cranks on American bikes (unthreaded BB shell) and 3 piece cotterless cranks on asian bikes with a threaded shell.
I myself have only worked on the 1 pc crank type.
I myself have only worked on the 1 pc crank type.
04-09-23, 06:19 AM
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04-09-23, 08:36 AM
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04-09-23, 03:38 PM
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We use to call it the "333" remover. I worked in a Panasonic shop in 1984 and had to service a couple of these bikes, the Villager was a less popular model but is what we would now call a hybrid before it's time. Panasonic is one of those brands that never quite got the props it deserved. Andy (who was so happy when Shimano did go to a tool design that didn't require removing axle locknuts and spacers)
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