Classic & Vintage - Changing cassettes & Nuovo Record jockey wheel

So my Frejus has always had some slight chain-rub noise and troubles shifting in the back, and I was recently told by another cyclist that if I put the original cassette back on there, I wouldn't have as many problems. I was replacing the tire today when I noted the jumble of parts that makes up the wheel. It has Araya rims, Campagnolo Record hubs, and a Suntour cassette...six cogs, and according to the guy who told me this, the original cassette would have only had five.

Any suggestions on what/where to get a replacement? I'm guessing ebay, but I'm still something of a noob, so I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for.


Second question: One of the jockey wheels on the RD is cracked, all the way through. I'm not keen on it randomly snapping in half while I'm out riding, so does anyone know where I can get a replacement jockey wheel that would fit a ~1965 Nuovo Record RD? I don't really mind if it's not "period correct," but I don't want something that will stick out like a sore thumb, either.

Where is your chain rub occurring? I have converted every one of my 5-speed bikes, all originally with a 120mm overlock rear axle length, to either a 6-speed ultra (for 122mm) or a regular 6-speed (for 126mm) freewheel, with no ill effects whatsoever. If the chain is rubbing on your front derailleur, it probably needs adjusting. If it is rubbing against your chainstay, you need to add a washer to the drive side of your rear axle and redish the wheel accordingly.

As for the jockey wheel problem, been there --- done that. I just replaced the worn-out pulleys in my Campagnolo 980 (homely cheapo but functional update of your much nicer-looking NR) with a couple of Shimanos, and it works like a champ. Subject only to some minor bolt diameter constraints, you can put almost any pulleys in that old derailleur, although old school pulleys will have less lateral float than those designed for index use, and will therefore probably give you more accurate shifting.

Chainstay rub. I'll look into redishing the wheel (or bring it into the shop, which is a bit more likely...Don't quite trust myself yet!)

Really? A shop I talked to said that I'd have problems fitting non-Campy pulleys...and they don't sell Campy, they weren't looking to sell me something. Good to hear from someone with experience. I'm guessing I should probably have a professional at least walk me through disassembling the RD and replacing the wheel...unless it's not that difficult to do.

People used to commonly replace the campy jockey wheels with bullseye and other aftermarket brands. I think there may be a difference between Suntour/Simplex pulleys vrs the campy style ones, but I know the Shimano wheels work in campy. Huret is another story.

... I'm guessing I should probably have a professional at least walk me through disassembling the RD and replacing the wheel...unless it's not that difficult to do.

Replacing a pulley is very simple and requires only an 8 or 9 mm wrench. Either remove the rear wheel or drop the chain off the inside of the chainrings to eliminate tension, then remove the offending pulley's bolt, slide the old pulley out and the new one in, and replace and retorque the bolt.

Oh! Well, I suppose I can do that. Thank you!