Classic & Vintage - Rebuilding Shimano Pedals (6400, 7400, 6401, 7401)

So I have a bunch of these pedals sitting in my stash. The PD-6400 and PD-7400 are the "triangle" shape pedals with toe clips. The 6401 and 7401 are the look compatible clipless pedals.

My wife has been using some PD-6207 on one of her bikes, and I have been using some 7401 in my attempt to learn clipless.

Some of the pedals in my stash are pretty rough in the bearings. Previously I was able to rebuild a pair of 6207's easily enough. You just pop off the dustcap and it was pretty straightforward. Here is the velobase entry for the 6207-- you can see the dustcap. The hardest part of the rebuild was getting the dustcap off.

http://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=1EA99157-1930-4C42-9D75-434630B2B9D1&Enum=109&AbsPos=3

http://velobase.com/CompImages/Pedals/B96244BC-F296-4DCC-992D-8C3EBA305CE0.jpeg

But these others don't appear to be so simple. The 6400's don't have a dustcap. And the spindle appears to only be fastened on one end. I am not sure how they work. Again, here is the velobase for them:

http://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=1EA99157-1930-4C42-9D75-434630B2B9D1&Enum=109&AbsPos=3

http://www.velobase.com/CompImages/Pedals/2E75DB28-5C71-4AB9-8676-F50A014433B9.jpeg

Finally, the 7400 are like the 6400, but also appear to take a special wrench.

http://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=A0A08E3F-1FE1-4C36-9FA0-71A9CF83AF7D&Enum=109&AbsPos=11

http://velobase.com/CompImages/Pedals/453DC201-2CA9-4B30-AFFF-229CE9C09A87.jpeg

The PD-7401 and PD-6401 appear to be constructed just like the 7400 and 6400.

http://velobase.com/CompImages/Pedals/91502B14-8657-4456-B853-DB77B3555753.jpeg

http://velobase.com/CompImages/Pedals/8673624A-EE56-48E6-A5C9-DC8FA191E836.jpeg

So my questions-- how does one go about rebuilding these pedals? And I note that Velobase says that some of them take "needle bearings"? Do bike shops carry needle bearings? Do all of them use needle bearings? And where to get the tool for the dura ace?

I guess I don't really need the tool just yet, because it is really the 6400 pedals that need the rebuild.

Finally-- should I keep the 6207's? Is this one of those "the old ways were best" or is it easy enough to rebuild the 6400 and 7400 pedals once you know what you are doing?

I recently discovered that I have a Dura Ace tool that says for PD-7400. I've never used it and sold the PD-7400s a while back. I can't help you on rebuilding pedals, but let me know if you need the tool down the road.

http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=413497

For the Look compatible ones you need one of these. Pretty simple once you have the tool; I just did a couple. Just remember one of them is reverse-threaded. If I try to tell you which one I'm sure to get it wrong, but the tool actually has arrows on it for the spatially challenged.

i have the exact same two pairs of shimano 600 pedals in the first two photos posted by the op. i've repacked the older style with the dust caps no problem. but i have a pair of the tri colored 600 with no caps (second photo) i'm not sure if they also need the special tool to open them up to service them. so i'll be interested on hear the feedback from anyone who's had success.

I have the tool for those clipless pedals, as far as getting the spindle out. PM me.

the platform pedals require a Shimano spanner, biketools.com used to carry it. Here's a pic of it on their site....

http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=647689819510&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Pedal&tc=Axle/Bearing-Tools&item_id=SH-TL-PD30

The LOOK clipless pedals require the plastic cap tool.

Once the axle is loosened and removed from the body, the whole assembly slides out, and you'll see the outer bearings at the end.
The 640x and 105 LOOK pedals use a cartridge set up. One of them is needle bearing at the end, can't recall which.

I've rebuilt all of these at one time or another and, although I've forgotten the details, I've managed to do it with "normal" tools. The Dura Ace internals are particularly interesting, having a combination of tiny roller and ball bearings.

J