Classic & Vintage - Wheelset question

So, I searched to no avail, and I come to you classic and vintage folks with a question.
I recently aquired a Ross 292s with shimano 105 gold arrow components, it's a 12 speed. The only things I would like to replace are the headset and the wheelset, as the wheels probably at least need to be rebuilt, though they are nothing special. I have the headset under control, my question is regarding the wheels. If I buy a hub, will one for, say an 8 speed, take the 6 speed freewheel on the wheels I have now AND if not, what are my options as far as a 6 speed hub goes? Wheels are a field of geared bike knowledge I am relatively inexperienced in.
Thanks in advance,
David

The main issue you'll need to deal with is that an 8-speed hub requires a wider rear dropout spacing than a 6-speed. You can cold set the rear spacing, following Sheldon Brown's directions (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html). Is the 8-speed hub you're considering have a threaded freewheel (as opposed to a cassette)? If so, you might be able to drop the internals from your 6-speed hub into the 8-speed hub. If it's a cassette hub, you can't do that.

Another option is to pick up a 6-speed wheelset from eBay or CL. They're often out there for not too much money.

Neal

You can't mix cassettes & free wheels on the same hub. Although they make 8 speed free wheels, most 8 speeds are free hubs.

Sorry to add to the "issues list," but if you're looking to upgrade to newer, lighter wheels, bear in mind that the hubs of most current offerings will have freehubs for cassettes. The cogs are attached by a completely different method, and you can't attach a freewheel to these hubs. If you're planning to keep the 6-speed freewheel, you'll need a hub with threads for the freewheel, and you may find that most of those are only marginally (if at all) better than what you have now. It's quite likely that you're better off breaking out the cone wrenches, steel wool and grease, and overhauling what you've got. If they haven't been done in a few years, it will usually make a world of difference.

EDIT: Oops, I got interrupted in mid-post, and didn't see that Bill had already raised the point. As he notes, there are 8-speed freewheels, but unless you're a weak, lightweight rider, you probably want to shy away from those. Axle breakage from their use was the supposed reason for switching to freehub construction. It's possible, however, that you could go to a newer, 8-speed freehub and cassette, and find that your older "6-speed" RD is able to cover the spread with its limit screws backed out a bit.

So what you are saying is I can not take the 6 speed freewheel off my hub and mount it on a more modern hub meant for an 8 speed freewheel? I guess my real question is are hubs specific to freewheel size, or are they simply threaded for freewheels, number of gears determined only by the freewheel being installed?

So what you are saying is I can not take the 6 speed freewheel off my hub and mount it on a more modern hub meant for an 8 speed freewheel? I guess my real question is are hubs specific to freewheel size, or are they simply threaded for freewheels, number of gears determined only by the freewheel being installed?

From Sheldon Brown's website (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/freewheels.html):

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/images/freewheel-vs-k7.jpg

What you have is on the left. While 8-speed freewheels do exist, most 8-speed hubs will be cassettes, like what's on the right. As you can see from the pic, it's impossible for a freewheel to be installed onto a cassette hub, and vice-versa.

It is possible to swap out the freehub body from 8-speed to 6 (if you can find a 6-speed freehub body).

From Sheldon Brown's website (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/freewheels.html):

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/images/freewheel-vs-k7.jpg

What you have is on the left. While 8-speed freewheels do exist, most 8-speed hubs will be cassettes, like what's on the right. As you can see from the pic, it's impossible for a freewheel to be installed onto a cassette hub, and vice-versa.

It is possible to swap out the freehub body from 8-speed to 6 (if you can find a 6-speed freehub body).

Thanks, my question has been answered!
You guys never dissapoint.

David