[CR]Putting a 6 or 7 speed freewheel on a 5 speed rear end

Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2003 10:24:51 -0500
From: "David G. White" <whiteknight@adelphia.net>
To: Classic Rendezvous <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <111320030501.24613.2513@comcast.net>
In-Reply-To: <111320030501.24613.2513@comcast.net>
Subject: [CR]Putting a 6 or 7 speed freewheel on a 5 speed rear end

I fear the purists will be horrified, but as part of a restoration project this winter on what appears to be an early 80s Colnago Super frame, I'm thinking about using a 7 speed freewheel. Come on guys, give me a break! I live in Vermont where all rides are hilly and my middle aged legs really appreciate the extra gear ratios! Anyway, I'm looking for advice on how to do this.

I just purchased the frame. It can be seen at: http://ebay.com/<blah I know the rear stays may need to be spread slightly -- the frame arrived yesterday and I haven't had a chance to measure the existing width. Aside from that a few questions:

1) How careful do I need to be about which Campy hubs I use? Can I simply use any 6 or 7 speed hub with a 126mm width?

2) Is it possible to re-build an older 120mm Campy Record hub using a wider axle and some spacers? Will the 6 or 7 speed freewheels go on? Or is there a difference in the freewheel threading as well as the axle?

3) Does a Campy Nuovo Record rear derailleur have sufficient travel range to handle a 7 speed freewheel? How about the Super Record rear derailleur?

4) Are there other issues of which I should be aware?

Thanks!

David -- the impure -- White
Burlington, VT