Raleigh Freewheel Removal

numbnut · Post by **numbnut** » 4 Mar 2008, 9:32pm

I have the 700c wheels from a 70's or 80's Raleigh "Racing" bike. You know the type, drop bars, brakes with suicide levers, big spongy saddle etc but really comfortable to ride.

I want to unscrew the freewheel block but the inner bore does not have wide splines as is usual but rather has a series of narrow grooves instead. Does anyone know if a removal tool is still available for this type? Wiggle only list modern versions.

Many thanks

N

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 4 Mar 2008, 9:38pm

Perhaps this is a silly question but isn't the maker's name on it?

Post by **Mick F** » 4 Mar 2008, 9:54pm

And would this fit?

PW · Post by PW » 4 Mar 2008, 10:08pm

Probably not. I'm trying to drag the name of the splined remover out of the back of my ancient head but it's being stubborn :oops:

There were more splines & closer together......

tick tock...... not a Maillard was it??

Post by **Mick F** » 4 Mar 2008, 10:10pm

Maillard freewheel removers fit Campag lockrings.
Still have one, and still use it.

PW · Post by PW » 4 Mar 2008, 10:11pm

Not that then....I can see the darn thing in my mind but the name won't come. :evil:

Where's Paul Smith, it used to be in the Freewheel Catalogue!

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 4 Mar 2008, 10:21pm

I think Maillard did the Helicomatic hub which had curved splines (if that is a correct term) and then a lockring which held the freewheel on. Something else that might have seemed like a good idea at the time.

sheldon brown

Scroll down to freewheels

PW · Post by PW » 4 Mar 2008, 10:42pm

I remember the Helicomatic, though that wasn't the one I was thinking of. A lot of people ended up with useless hubs & no spares available!

meic · Post by **meic** » 4 Mar 2008, 11:26pm

There is a possibility that you have a Uniglide Cassette fitted. Is it a 6 speed? If it is a Uniglide then you unscrew the smallest sprocket (using a chain whip) while holding the rest of the casstte still with another chainwhip.
Big bonus of Uniglide is that you can turn the sprockets (except the smallest ) around and use them all again when it wears out.
The disadvantage is finding anywhere that sells them.
There are pictures that will help you identify this in Sheldon Browns website.

james01 · Post by **james01** » 5 Mar 2008, 9:03am

I'd get an old-fashioned bike shop, the type with a properly equipped workshop, to remove it (usually while you wait), rather than spend time & money tracking down a remover which you may not use again.

gaz · Post by **gaz** » 5 Mar 2008, 8:21pm

Post by **Mick F** » 5 Mar 2008, 8:30pm

From my memory, Regina is the same as Maillard, is the same as Campag lockrings......

gaz · Post by **gaz** » 6 Mar 2008, 10:49am

PW · Post by PW » 6 Mar 2008, 12:18pm

The Regina's closer, the one I'm thinking of was longer bodied, with an unsplined waist between the spanner flats & the splines.

numbnut · Post by **numbnut** » 6 Mar 2008, 7:33pm

Hey Guys

Thanks for all the responses. There is no indication of maker of any sort on the block. I can count either 24 or 25 splines, it is difficult to count them as they are recessed quite a long way into the block. the shape of the splines must be like the Regina as they are not wide like the example in Gaz's photo.

I am going to visit a LBS tomorrow and see what he says as he has been in business for years and will let you know.

Thanks again

N