Re: [CR]5-sp freewheel source and chain length questions

(Example: History:Norris Lockley)

In-Reply-To: <BAY101-F315D1FDDBED2500C041D8DD6770@phx.gbl>
References:
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 14:11:31 -0400
To: "Reid Fisher" <reidfisher@hotmail.com>, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Sheldon Brown" <CaptBike@sheldonbrown.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]5-sp freewheel source and chain length questions


Reid Fisher asked:
>- Are there sources for 5-speed threaded freewheels to fit older
>120-mm spacing rear wheels (for my '64 Carlton Flyer), or must one
>try to find them used/NOS thru the listings, Ebay, etc.? My LBS
>says they could only find a cheapy 14-28,

That would be Shimano. Although they are inexpensive, they are among the finest freewheels ever made. Don't let the low price fool you.
>and I don't have hills that steep. I'm looking for 14-26 max, maybe
>less than 26.

We've got Sun Tours: http://harriscyclery.com/freewheels
>Are there different freewheel/hub threads to be aware of?

Basically there's "regular" and old French. French is VERY uncommon.
>
>- Even though the '72 Campy Nuovo Record rear derailleur on that '64
>Carlton Flyer should handle a 14-28 freewheel (per the archives),
>the chain length needed for this bike would be longer than the new
>chain I just bought (like 57 inches+) -- unless I just bag using the
>big/big combo which makes sense anyway. Am I somehow asking for
>trouble by setting it up that way and just remembering I can't use
>the big/big combo?

Absolutely! DON'T DO IT!!! You would be tempting Murphy...and he bites!
>It looks as though with a long enough chain, I could in theory run
>all ten gears on this 46/54 and 14-28 setup. If I find a 14-26 or
>smaller freewheel, most of this navel-gazing question just goes away!
>
>- What chains can and cannot be used on '60's and early '70's era
>bikes with Campy chainrings and ye olde 5-sp freewheels?

I would avoid "9-speed" chains, but other 3/32" chains will work fine.

We've got some NOS "West German" Wippermans that are a particularly good choice for 5-speed systems: http://harriscyclery.com/chains

Sheldon "Tick Tick Tick..." Brown +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | Give a man a fire, and he will stay warm for a day. | | Set a man on fire, he stays warm for the rest of his life. | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ --
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