Classic & Vintage - rear spread / derailleur issue

My ’74 Raleigh Supercourse frame came with a 130mm rear fork spread. I suspect it was cold-formed at one point as these frames originally came with a 126mm spread. I recently purchased an older 27" wheelset that has a 126mm spread. I realize that by inserting spacers between the forks and the hub, I can make up for the 4 mm difference. However, will there be any problems when shifting with the rear derailleur with this odd setup?

I think it originally had 120mm rear spacing. It's just as easy to reduce the spread as it is to increase it if you follow Sheldon Brown's instructions. All you need is a 2X4, a ruler and a piece of string and you can correct any misalignment while you're at it.

For a 2mm difference on each side do I need to cold set it or will it simply tighten up on its own after installing the wheelset with no spacers?

Respacing to the original is an option. But you won't have any problems using the spacers. The chainline will be the same if you respace or use spacers.

For a 2mm difference on each side do I really need to cold set it or will it close up on its own after tightening up the wheelset to the fork?

For a 2mm difference on each side do I need to cold set it or will it simply tighten up on its own after installing the wheelset with no spacers?

You should be able to just slip the wheel in and tighten up the skewer with out any modifications for the 2mm difference. I've gone the other way plenty of times and could only imagine that pinching down the 2mm would be even easier.

As it turns out after sending my wheels / hubs to Phil Wood for reconditioning he apparently re-spaced the hubs to 130mm. I just found out today....Thus ends this saga..

As it turns out after sending my wheels / hubs to Phil Wood for reconditioning he apparently re-spaced the hubs to 130mm. I just found out today....Thus ends this saga..

Well, all's well that ends well. Glad it worked out for the best in the long run.

If the wheel doesn't slide in and out of the dropouts without spreading the stays or adjusting the skewer, the builder hasn't done his job right.