John Betmanis wrote, <snip>
I've seen Regina freewheels with chewed-up slots. What I don't understand is how that can be done if you use the regular freewheel remover correctly. Could it be that some people stick the remover into the freewheel and just turn it with a big wrench? I've always held it in place with the axle nuts or QR and spacers if necessary, then clamped the remover in a bench vise and turned the wheel. No way the prongs can slip out of the slots. +++++++++++++++++++++ Well, John, some of us learned a bit more slowly than others. Being something of a Regina FW collector, I've picked up some spare NOS nekkid bodies (no cogs) along the way. In fact, I have more than I need now. $20 ea, postpaid in US. It takes a bit of time, and creative use of thread to hold the pawls in place, but it is quite feasible to install a new 2-slot core in the old body. I find it easier than trying to move the cogs, too. I'd be willing to do the install on your FW, price to be negotiated. As always, I can be bought with interesting esoteric trades.
So, you ask, how do you get the damaged FW off, to install a new core? First you chip or grind away the pieces of the body that interfere with the threaded on cone. then, you loosen the cone ring with a punch, noting that it is Left Hand thread. When loose, hold everything, and turn upside down over a sieve to catch all the balls and such. Now you can remove the pawls (if they didn't fall out), catch the very fine springs (early series), and remove the damaged core with a pipe wrench or the equivalent.
harvey sachs
mcLean va usa.