Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Freewheel Question

I am putting together a bike out of various old parts. Using a Campy Super Record rear changer. I have a seven speed freewheel, but wonder whether I should be using a 5 or six speed freewheel to work best with this derailleur. Second question is, what make freewheel would work best. Found a number of old Regina's, but they are quite pricey. See some Suntours for much less. Will it make a difference? Thanks for the input.

Hello lakeboy, welcome to the forums. your SR rear derailleur should handle a 7spd just fine provided the largest cog is not bigger than..... I think 28T and you rings are "standard" like 42/52 or close to that.

as to which is better.. that can cause a real fight here *giggle* you certainly do not needa Regina unless you are going for a true vintage rebuild. the suntour will work just fine. if you can find one and the price is not too high a shimano uniglide or 'twisttooth' style might shift better but these are getting pricey too.

A Shimano HG freewheel will shift the best. Next in line would be a twist tooth Uniglide Shimano.

Thanks for the input. Let me add a little info to my question. Back when I rode alot (when this equipment was new), I remember how cleanly the rear gear shifted. It dropped right onto the cog, and required little adjustments. Now, I have rigged the SR derailleur onto a seven speed 13-23 freewheel, and it seems like I am having to constantly adjust the gears to get it cleanly seated on a cog, and running as quietly as it should. It may just be an idealistic memory of the gears from 25 years ago. But, I'm wondering if the spacing between cogs is the same on the 7 speed freewheel as on a 5 or 6 speed, and could that be part of the issue. I'm running 42/52 on the front, also Campy SR.

You may well need a different chain. The spacing of a 7 speed is smaller than that of a 5. Miamijim's comments about the Shimano freewheels are spot on.

Mods...you may want to move this out of the appraisal section.

=1. Shimano HG freewheel with appropriate, narrow chain. If you're still having problems the dropout hanger may be slightly bent.

What you may/may not find... is the angle onto the 7 speed freewheel.. if the geometry of the bike is setup
for a 5 sd... could be too severe an angle. Mine was made a 5'er... put a 7 on with redished wheel.. yet the shorter stems on the bottom bracket make the angle onto the outside smaller gears sharp. Have to think that wears all the parts concerned.. faster. I might set another bottom bracket in...

Runs fine.. slight chain rub at times on the 14 cog. Would have been better served to have found that custom 5 sp option before I messed with the 7.