Subject: [CR]Removing a freewheel from a bare hub?
Bruce asked:
> Does anyone have experience (positive experience, that is) in removing a
freewheel from a hub that has been cut from a rim? Since this does not have
the leverage of a complete wheel, is there a way of clamping (holding) the
hub while removing the freewheel without damage to the hub?
I use a tool which is a vise grip that has a chain attached to one of the jaws. The chain has pins protruding on either side from the links and a pair of the pins along the chain's length is engaged with the other jaw.
So, you wrap the chain around the edge of the fw side flange, tighten VERY tight, and hold the vice grip in a vise. Then use your freewheel tool.
This method has worked lots of times for me, ymmv, and leaves only a set of dents on the edge of the flange as evidence that I've had to mop up after the mistake of a clueless "bike mechanic".
Hugh Enox
sunny La Honda