Bicycle Mechanics - Odd? Falcon Free Wheel removal

I've got this old 5 speed Falcon Freewheel I'm going to junk and just wanted to steal a couple DS spokes from it for the "spares" bin.

It's 12 splines-
My "Falcon" FW removal tool is way too large.
An Atom/Regina tool is just a bit too large

Does anybody know what they used, or did they just toss the whole wheel?
Having trouble posting a clear pic, but if you look under my name on Facebook, you can see them.

You need the old Shimano pattern (boss) freewheel remover. Like the Atom it calls for removing the axle. If you can't find one at a decent price, I have a bunch of new ones and can give you a good deal.

For almost free you can make your own. Bring the wheel to the local hardware store, and look for a short bolt who's head can just jam into the freewheel's splines and drive it (thing of the freewheel as a 12 point socket). Either a hex or square head will work. If you can't get a perfect match, buy the nearest size larger, and grind it to fit. Then hold the bolt's shank in a vise, slip the wheel over it, and make like a bus driver turning left.

destructive removal? remove the cover on the freewheel with a pin spanner. it is a LH thread so turn it clockwise. toss all the bits and clamp whats left in a vice or pipe wrench and off it comes.

I noticed the diameter seemed to be about 3/4 to 13/16".
That's the typical size for std. & HD 1/2" nuts.

That's got me thinking--
Maybe a "longer" 1/2" bolt with 2 nuts threaded on.
Drive the bolt head in and then use the "inner" of the 2 nuts to remove, hoping it jams tight against the outer nut and turns the bolt???

I noticed the diameter seemed to be about 3/4 to 13/16".
That's the typical size for std. & HD 1/2" nuts.

That's got me thinking--
Maybe a "longer" 1/2" bolt with 2 nuts threaded on.
Drive the bolt head in and then use the "inner" of the 2 nuts to remove, hoping it jams tight against the outer nut and turns the bolt???

Dispense with the nuts. The thread is in the wrong direction and any nuts will just spin off. Clamp the shank of the bolt in a vise, of see if you can get enough leverage grabbing the shank with pump pliers (you'll need good ones) or a visegrip.

Finally found a 3/4" head bolt.
Will need to do just a bit of light grinding.
It almost pounds in, but not quite.
Too late to mess with tonight. (too clean to get grinding dust/crud in my hair & down my neck)
Thanks for the hints

Finally found a 3/4" head bolt.
Will need to do just a bit of light grinding.
....
Too late to mess with tonight. (too clean to get grinding dust/crud in my hair & down my neck)


Is your bench grinder mounted near the ceiling, or are you that short?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Don't have a bench grinder, so I was going to use the Dremel.

I decided to try Reptilezs' method and use the pipe wrench. (My bench vise isn't that great on small dia. rod)
It wouldn't go, but I don't have a tire on the rim to help get "traction" on the wheel. (Carpal Tunnel doesn't help trying to hold it)
I'll throw a tire on tomorrow and give it another shot. IF it doesn't go, I'll give up on it. After all, it's just to get a couple USED spokes (length I don't have) for the parts bin in case I need a spoke for the crappy CL bikes I flip.
Thanks-

(My bench vise isn't that great on small dia. rod)


If you don't want or need the freewheel, destructive removal as described by an earlier post is easy and effective.
Otherwise grind or file flats on the shank of the bolt so the vise has a decent purchase. Two small flats is all you need and once clamped the bolt won't spin.

It's just a rusted up old 5 speed FW. I've already got 1 laying around (in better shape) that I probably won't need unless I toss it.

Slapped a tire on the rim and used the pipe wrench to spin it off.
Thanks!

I'm probably going to have to do the same thing. I have a splined Maillard Normandy Freewheel and the tool has been on backorder for a month now.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e41/skydog653/IMG_1393.jpg

I'm probably going to have to do the same thing. I have a splined Maillard Normandy Freewheel and the tool has been on backorder for a month now.



I'm 98% sure that I have one, and it'll be less than the back ordered one (within the USA). Let me know & I'll check tomorrow.

Otherwise same method, larger bolt. (square head not acceptable)

235661

Looks like I have the tool-
Finally figured out how to post a picture.

I'm 98% sure that I have one, and it'll be less than the back ordered one (within the USA). Let me know & I'll check tomorrow.

Otherwise same method, larger bolt. (square head not acceptable)
I'm interested as I have 3 to do. Let me know if you find it for sure, OK? It has to be 24 spline.