On the Coppi bike I am restoring (I found out it's a 1973 thanks to information about the date being stamped on the hubs locknuts - thanks Steve Maasland) - I simply can not get the Regina CX freewheel to stop making clunky noises. It spins nicely when it's off the hub but no matter what I soak it in - no matter what oil I use - it still clunks back on the bike under pressure. It's a shame because old five cog corncobs are hard to find and it's nice otherwise (14-18).
I had an inspirational dream while sleeping that one of the springs inside is broken. I took apart a freewheel once when I was a kid and put it back together successfully using the dental floss trick (Popular mechanics article circa 1971), but my vision is so much weaker now than it was when I was 17. Even if I do get the thing apart and manage to get it back together, what are the chances of fabricating/finding another pawl spring?
BTW, the bike is also a keeper (too big for me - its a 57/58, but it's a keeper for someone - beautiful windowed lugs, all NR, good vibrant red paint and white decals for a 1973 (maybe original), and lovely race horse geometry).
Has anyone bent thin wire to make a pawl spring?
Garth Libre in Miami Florida USA