Classic & Vintage - Swapping Hubs?

I have a 6 speed Bianchi with Campy running gear. I would like to stay with this and keep the bike as original as possible.

I had to get new wheels as the bike had none when I got it. I got a set of Sora hubs (8 speed) FH-3300 rear and HB-3300 front with Mavic CXP 21 rims.

My question is, is there a 6 speed cassette I can get for the Sora hub (with a spacer I presume), or is there a possibility of getting Campy hubs (front & rear) that I can swap in? Is it a possibility to get hubs that would be a direct fit as not to have to get new spokes? How do I figure this out?

Many Thanks for the info
Ian

Is the problem with the 8 vs 6 that you are using indexing? If so, just turn of indexing and run 8 speeds in friction (assuming the derailleur can cover the distance). I don't have any bikes with anything more than 5 speeds, I've never used indexing, and everything I have has freewheels, not cartidges so I can't really help any more on that front.

As for re-hubbing your wheel. Probably not worth the trouble. You could probably sell the wheel(s) and get another used set with the right number of speeds for less than trying to manage something with these wheels.

But if you really want to do it... the flanges would have to be the same distance apart within a mm or so and the spoke holes would have to have the same diameter within a mm or two (depends on how close the spoke tolerance was). You might consult the information in Spocalc to see if somone has already entered all this data for your hubs and look for a comparable set:

http://www.damonrinard.com/spocalc.xls

The site seems to be down at the moment, but this is a great resource. Most shops won't recycle your spokes on a new hub for you, though, as a warning. They will want to use new spokes so they can guarantee their work. You could do it yourself with patience and care. (get Jobst Brandt's book). Many shops won't put a new hub on a used rim, either.

Cheers,
Karl

I've never heard of a 6 speed casette but I suppose you could just leave off two cogs and put spacers in there. Your best bet though is to search eBay for another set of wheels. It would be much more cost effective then trying to swap hubs. 80's era mid-range Campy hubs laced to any period rim should be pretty reasonable. You're not looking for the really high end stuff I assume.