Old 6-speed cassette issues

Is it really a cassette on a freehub body, or is it an actual screw-on
freewheel?.

If it's the former, it sounds like the freehub body is b0rked, you can
replace those and reuse the cassette. Good luck finding one for a 6sp
uniglide cassette, you'd be better off getting a modern one (I *think*
they fit) and a new 8spd hyperglide cassette and chain.

If it's a actual "freewheel" where the cogs and racheting mech are one,
then you can simply get a new one from an online store. Twenty bucks.
Or since she doesn't shift, replace the freewheel with a $5 screw-on
track cog and make her a single speed. You'll need to redish and space
the wheel and remove the other detritus. I think that's a better idea
as she's getting a modern bike for those times she needs gearing.

On Sun, 02 Oct 2005 15:54:47 -0400, Paul Hobson <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

My dilemma: I'm taking over the bike. It's totally retro right now
except for the pedals, I kind of want to keep it that way. Is the
cassette totally shot? the hub? I know I'll need to eBay a new
cassette if that's what I need, but is there any hope of servicing it?
Or, is this going to become my "nice fixie" that I take out not for
commuting but just for fun???

It's probably a freewheel, rather than a cassette hub, which is good news
when the freewheeling action is worn out. The problem is that it's
probably a freewheel for which the removal tool would be problematic to
find (but you can still remove it destructively without the tool). I also
believe that there was, at one time at least, a 'french freewheel thread'
that was different from the standard British one.

<bookcheck>English and Italian freewheel threads are close enough to ISO
(1.375 x 24 TPI) to fit either way, but french thread at 34.7x1 mm is too
different.

If you have a french freewheel thread on that hub, your best bet might be
NOS french freewheel from ebay. Sheldon says "Most French bikes sold in
the U.S. used standard ISO thread freewheels", though, so if that's the
case you can just screw on a semi-random 6 speed. Shimano makes the most
common ones at 20 bucks or so.

Jasper

maxo said:

Is it really a cassette on a freehub body, or is it an actual screw-on
freewheel?.

If it's the former, it sounds like the freehub body is b0rked, you can
replace those and reuse the cassette. Good luck finding one for a 6sp
uniglide cassette, you'd be better off getting a modern one (I *think*
they fit) and a new 8spd hyperglide cassette and chain.

If it's a actual "freewheel" where the cogs and racheting mech are one,
then you can simply get a new one from an online store. Twenty bucks.
Or since she doesn't shift, replace the freewheel with a $5 screw-on
track cog and make her a single speed. You'll need to redish and space
the wheel and remove the other detritus. I think that's a better idea
as she's getting a modern bike for those times she needs gearing.

Ok, with my limited and recently acquired knowledge from sheldon's site,
it's a freewheel. The guard is label, "freehub/sprocket guard. So
yeah, I supposed that's what it is. I already got her the new bike
though b/c a 55 cm frame on a woman who needs a 44 cm just makes her not
like something she really wants to do. (it's a 44 cm Fuji League with
indexed, downtube shifters)

New problem: she's gonna be [censored] when she finds out I did this and
will want me to take it back. So I'm gonna have to spend three hours
convincing her that it wasn't expensive it's something she needs if she
really wants to get around hilly hilly Athens, GA without driving. [sigh]

Maxo, thanks for the help. You always seem to come through for me 🙂

--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
..:change the words to numbers
if you want to reply to me:.

Jasper Janssen said:

On Sun, 02 Oct 2005 15:54:47 -0400, Paul Hobson <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

My dilemma: I'm taking over the bike. It's totally retro right now
except for the pedals, I kind of want to keep it that way. Is the
cassette totally shot? the hub? I know I'll need to eBay a new
cassette if that's what I need, but is there any hope of servicing it?
Or, is this going to become my "nice fixie" that I take out not for
commuting but just for fun???

It's probably a freewheel, rather than a cassette hub, which is good news
when the freewheeling action is worn out. The problem is that it's
probably a freewheel for which the removal tool would be problematic to
find (but you can still remove it destructively without the tool). I also
believe that there was, at one time at least, a 'french freewheel thread'
that was different from the standard British one.

<bookcheck>English and Italian freewheel threads are close enough to ISO
(1.375 x 24 TPI) to fit either way, but french thread at 34.7x1 mm is too
different.

If you have a french freewheel thread on that hub, your best bet might be
NOS french freewheel from ebay. Sheldon says "Most French bikes sold in
the U.S. used standard ISO thread freewheels", though, so if that's the
case you can just screw on a semi-random 6 speed. Shimano makes the most
common ones at 20 bucks or so.

Jasper

Thanks for the response. The current freewheel is a Shimano, so I feel
a lot better about that if she insists that she keeps riding this bike.

\\paul
--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
..:change the words to numbers
if you want to reply to me:.

6sp freewheel with hyperglide type ramps (will shift MUCH better than
the old kit) $20
http://tinyurl.com/96sgj

You could probably throw a seven speed on there if you wanted to.

Hyperglide chain: @$15 Sram p-48

Freewheel tool: $10
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=2664

So under fifty bucks for gears and chain--it'll shift great with the
modern hyperglide stuff.

If it were me, I'd grab a 16 or 18T bmx freewheel ($15), remove the big
chainring (assuming it's a 52/42), shorten the chain, redish/move axle,
and have one sweet single speed.

Fixed is cool, but sometimes coasting is cooler. :P You can always go
fixed later. 😄

BTW, Nashbar's got Sram single speed chains in nickel plate on sale!
BLING!! *g*
http://tinyurl.com/76qat

Paul Hobson said:

Thanks for the response. The current freewheel is a Shimano, so I feel
a lot better about that if she insists that she keeps riding this bike.

If you can post a photo somewhere, we can tell you for sure what it
is. Most likely it is a freewheel. Motobecane was using BSC thread
freewheels even back in the 70's so I doubt you have French thread.
You _could_ fix the bike with a freewheel from Nashbar.

Now, for advice on that relationship! If you give her the new bike, do
_not_ disassemble the current bike and make it into something for you
anytime soon. Show her the new bike, tell her the old one is kaput
(old parts, hard to find) upgrade her to a better fitting bike, etc).
Then in a few months, mention that you found some parts to make it a
fixie so "at least it won't be thrown in the trash".

Bob

PS. I'm divorced, so I have no credibility here and my advice might
suck :- )

Quoted message said:

Georgia Institute of Technology

maxo said:

Is it really a cassette on a freehub body, or is it an actual screw-on
freewheel?.

If it's the former, it sounds like the freehub body is b0rked, you can
replace those and reuse the cassette. Good luck finding one for a 6sp
uniglide cassette, you'd be better off getting a modern one (I *think*
they fit) and a new 8spd hyperglide cassette and chain.

If it's a actual "freewheel" where the cogs and racheting mech are one,
then you can simply get a new one from an online store. Twenty bucks.
Or since she doesn't shift, replace the freewheel with a $5 screw-on

Where can I find a $5 track cog?

Quoted message said:

track cog and make her a single speed. You'll need to redish and space
the wheel and remove the other detritus. I think that's a better idea
as she's getting a modern bike for those times she needs gearing.

Collin O'Neill said:

maxo wrote:

Quoted message said:

Where can I find a $5 track cog?

Yeah, they're probably more than that--but that's what I payed for my
Shimano DX bmx cog for the SS conversion. How much more do they charge
for threading...

about $7 more according to Amazon. Eeesh. $12 for a cog.

maxo said:

Collin O'Neill said:

maxo wrote:

Quoted message said:

Where can I find a $5 track cog?

Yeah, they're probably more than that--but that's what I payed for my
Shimano DX bmx cog for the SS conversion. How much more do they charge
for threading...

about $7 more according to Amazon. Eeesh. $12 for a cog.

Never thought to look at amazon, but you're right. Thanks for the
pointer. They're $22 - $29 at the LBS for a track cog.

Bob said:

Paul Hobson said:

Thanks for the response. The current freewheel is a Shimano, so I feel
a lot better about that if she insists that she keeps riding this bike.

If you can post a photo somewhere, we can tell you for sure what it
is. Most likely it is a freewheel. Motobecane was using BSC thread
freewheels even back in the 70's so I doubt you have French thread.

Did Shimano ever even make french freewheels? If it says Shimano it's
presumably not original, but is likely to be ISO thread.

Quoted message said:

You _could_ fix the bike with a freewheel from Nashbar.

Also, 6 speed indexed downtube shifters are under 20 bucks, esepcially on
ebay. However, that's not going to magically make the frame 11 cm shorter.
She really needs something in her own size.

Jasper

Paul Hobson said:

A while back, I fixed up an old Motobecane Mirage for my SO. She really
likes it even though it's way to big b/c she's a francophile and it's a
lovely bike. She had a very minor crash and dropped it a few times
recently and aside from the der. hanger being slightly bent, the
cassette/rear hub seems to be toast.

When the wheel is off of the frame, the cassette will hardly spin freely
(maybe, half a revolution) on its own when you give it a GOOD whirl by
hand. When the wheel is on the frame, the cassette tries to spin with
the hub while coasting -- giving really funky (ie, none at all) chain
tension. Obviously the lack of chain tension on top make the rear der.
do funky things as well.

My solution unbeknownst to her: I'm going to buy her a cheap Fuji road
bike that finally FITS her and actually has indexed shifting (she
"doesn't like to mess with that [censored]" so she currently leaves it in
38x20!!!)

My dilemma: I'm taking over the bike. It's totally retro right now
except for the pedals, I kind of want to keep it that way. Is the
cassette totally shot? the hub? I know I'll need to eBay a new
cassette if that's what I need, but is there any hope of servicing it?
Or, is this going to become my "nice fixie" that I take out not for
commuting but just for fun???

--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
.:change the words to numbers
if you want to reply to me:.

No answers to your questions other than you probably have a Maillard 6
speed cassette. Not uncommon during the 1980s. Motobecane was a
common brand during the 1980s. A Maillard came on my brothers 1984
Schwinn "something" 11.4. Schwinn's top road bike at the time. There
was no Paramount during that time. 11.4 kilograms. Can't remember the
name at the moment. Brother still has the bike. Not sure if he put a
new hub in the wheel or if he is still using the Maillard.

Not sure why every other responder is so convinced you have a
freewheel. Most likely they are not aware of Maillard and its use
during the 1980s and assume all 6 speeds were freewheel and cassettes
began with 7 speed.

Jasper Janssen said:

Bob said:

Paul Hobson said:

Thanks for the response. The current freewheel is a Shimano, so I feel
a lot better about that if she insists that she keeps riding this bike.

If you can post a photo somewhere, we can tell you for sure what it
is. Most likely it is a freewheel. Motobecane was using BSC thread
freewheels even back in the 70's so I doubt you have French thread.

Did Shimano ever even make french freewheels? If it says Shimano it's
presumably not original, but is likely to be ISO thread.

OK, I'll post a pic in a couple of hours to clear this up. I'm
confused, then I understand, then I think I'm confused, but I'm not sure...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You _could_ fix the bike with a freewheel from Nashbar.

Also, 6 speed indexed downtube shifters are under 20 bucks, esepcially on
ebay. However, that's not going to magically make the frame 11 cm shorter.
She really needs something in her own size.

That's tempting. my wallet is begging for that, but her back/shoulders
are starting to hurt from the reach. her knees are sore b/c the seats
too low because of said reach. she really wants to get into cycling and
become less dependant on her car, but the pain is really making her
think that it's *her* and *she* can't do it.

\\paul
--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
..:change the words to numbers
if you want to reply to me:.

Quoted message said:

Not sure why every other responder is so convinced you have a
freewheel. Most likely they are not aware of Maillard and its use
during the 1980s and assume all 6 speeds were freewheel and cassettes
began with 7 speed.

If you'd actually read the thread, you would have noticed that I asked
if it was a Shimano 6spd cassette. 😉

These were uniglide, not hyperglide, and the last cog served as a
lockring and screwed onto outside threads on the freehub body.
Hyperglide cogs fit just fine on such bodies.

Those Shimano 6spd cassettes were fairly ubiquitous in the late 80s

Quoted message said:

Paul Hobson said:

A while back, I fixed up an old Motobecane Mirage for my SO. She really

Quoted message said:

No answers to your questions other than you probably have a Maillard 6
speed cassette. Not uncommon during the 1980s. Motobecane was a

Helicomatic you mean?

Quoted message said:

common brand during the 1980s. A Maillard came on my brothers 1984
Schwinn "something" 11.4. Schwinn's top road bike at the time. There
was no Paramount during that time. 11.4 kilograms. Can't remember the
name at the moment. Brother still has the bike. Not sure if he put a
new hub in the wheel or if he is still using the Maillard.

Not sure why every other responder is so convinced you have a
freewheel. Most likely they are not aware of Maillard and its use
during the 1980s and assume all 6 speeds were freewheel and cassettes
began with 7 speed.

Well, that was my primary, yes, but when the OP mentioned that the cogs
said "Shimano" that was pretty much confirmed. I'm pretty sure Shimano
never ever made 6 speed cassettes for Maillard splines. If this bike did
come with a Maillard cassette at one point, it was probably changed to a
different hub at some point when Maillard was no longer available, and
that is likely to have been a cheap freewheel-wheel with a 6sp freewheel
on it.

Jasper

Paul Hobson said:

A while back, I fixed up an old Motobecane Mirage for my SO. She really
likes it even though it's way to big b/c she's a francophile and it's a
lovely bike. She had a very minor crash and dropped it a few times
recently and aside from the der. hanger being slightly bent, the
cassette/rear hub seems to be toast.

When the wheel is off of the frame, the cassette will hardly spin freely
(maybe, half a revolution) on its own when you give it a GOOD whirl by
hand. When the wheel is on the frame, the cassette tries to spin with
the hub while coasting -- giving really funky (ie, none at all) chain
tension. Obviously the lack of chain tension on top make the rear der.
do funky things as well.

My solution unbeknownst to her: I'm going to buy her a cheap Fuji road
bike that finally FITS her and actually has indexed shifting (she
"doesn't like to mess with that [censored]" so she currently leaves it in
38x20!!!)

I gave her the bike yesterday. At first she was really hesitant about
me buying it for her. I told a couple of half-truths about the price
(half lies, I suppose) just so that she would try to ride it. It fit
her great and after shifting up and down a hill, she loved it! <phew -
bullet dodged>

now I have this extra bike (that fits me) laying around. hmm...
--
\\paul