I keep forgetting that although I am a novice there are others with less experience in some areas. Perhaps this was a novice move but I figure things out as I go along. First, I have 4 freewheel tools that will work on a "splined Regina". That is what I was working on. Three of these tools are just the bit that you could fit into the cog set, the other was fixed into a handle and is pretty handy and easier to use then the others. First thing I noticed is that the tool will not fit over the axle with the cones in place so off came the cones, the axle and the bearings. Next I noticed that the tool, either type, was not long enough to engage the splines all the way with all the cogs in place. It would not be safe or smart to use it with only 1/8 inch engaged. I knew that the first two cogs must come off so that is how I got into this mess in the first place. I have a lot of bike tools but not much in state of the art stuff. I had no thin walled tool to use that would allow me to keep the axle in place. I did not know one existed till reading it here (another testament to the value of the list). Still the experience was worth the trouble. Like most things the best lessons learned are those you have to solve for yourself. I could have waited and taken it to my LBS but what would I have learned. Thanks Steve for the kind offer but the learning experience was worth two teeth. Since I am not a surgeon my method of on the job (hobby)training works for me. Thank goodness my doctor does not use the same method to learn what he has to do.
Ray Homiski Elizabeth, NJ
Hi Ray:
I'm curious - why would you need to remove the axle assembly and two freewheel sprockets just to remove a freewheel? That seems very unusual to me, but maybe I'm missing something here. What kind of remover tool are you using? Notched or splined FW? Was it a solid-axle hub, or was the removal area on the FW broken already, perhaps?
Regards,
Greg Parker