From: "heddarr" <heddarr@indianaconnect.com> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Subject: [CR]Spence Wolf Conversion for NR rear der
Would anyone have a picture of a Spence Wolf Conversion for a NR rear der. I have a new friend who is a machinist and thought it might be a fun project. There might even be a list member who did the conversions and if so I would like to hear all about it.
Howard Darr Clymer PA
Quite a few years ago I did this conversion but I made my own cage plates rather than buying Spence's. I designed them by using the original dimensions from the NR plates above the pivot hole and the dimensions of the Rally derailleur from the pivot hole down. This resulted in a pair of plates that looked just like the NR plates except they were longer. I used magnesium since I worked in an aerospace factory and it was easy to obtain at the time. Aluminum would be just fine though. I believe I used 1/8" stock and traced the pattern from the other plates onto it. Then, using hand tools I cut them out and finished them. They looked better than original factory plates and if I say so myself, a bit better looking that Spence Wolf's plates also. I used a hand drill, hack saw, files, crocus and emery cloth, and finally some simichrome for the final polish. I think they're still in one of my boxes at home somewhere. I used them for a good long while but the drawback to them was that they would only handle a maximum of 28 teeth in the back because the upper jockey pulley was the same dimension as the NR. They would take up a lot of chain slack for a third small chainring in the front though and that's what I was after. Nowadays people are using larger rear cogs so the jockey pulley needs to sit further back from the pivot point to clear the larger cogs.
I may be able to find them and take some pictures of them for anyone interested. I'll even include the measurements if that's helpful.
Though Spence has long departed us, maybe the folks at Cupertino Bike Shop may have a lead on where some genuine Spence Wolf plate can be obtained.
Bruce Schrader San Francisco
===== "Not all those that wander are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973)
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