Originally Posted by
Rocky Gravol
Just swap wheels between bikes.
The Peugeot has a six speed cluster 14-28 teeth,
the Motobecane has a five speed cluster 14-32 teeth.
It doesn't seen like much, but there are a lot of hills in
my neighborhood and that bigger gear seems to make a difference.
Does the 6-speed have standard spacing (basically a 5-speed plus one more cog) or "ultra" spacing (using the narrow 7- or 8-speed spacing)? A 5-speed wheel takes a nominal overlock width of 120mm; 6-speed ultra, about 122mm; 6-speed standard, 126mm. Make sure your frame, rear derailleur, and chainline can accommodate this.
If I were in your situation I would look for a 6-speed freewheel with a 32 or 34 tooth low cog. My Nishiki came with a 14-18-22-27-34 5-speed, and that is a pretty tall jump between gears, even with the 6-tooth drop in front to make it a half-step.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069