mrmarcdee

This is from an old steel Schwinn roadbike. I can't seem to figure out how to describe this well enough to get useful search results from Google. So, how do I remove this ?freewheel?, and also, how would I have searched for information about it?

Image:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BxhSJoGQbQSKeDc0QVZlam41eEU


Thanks,
Marc Dillon

JohnDThompson 

That's a Shimano "Front Freewheel" cluster. The ratchet mechanism is in the crank rather than the freewheel/hub. According to this article, a Shimano "Boss" freewheel remover will fit. That would be the tool on the right in this picture:

zukahn1 

Also you should note that if you are having issues with freewheeling the problem is in the crank not the freewheel. Which will likely mean replacing most of the drivetrain to repair crank, freewheel and shifter group.

mrmarcdee

Oh I see, the Boss tool actually goes inside, after the nut is removed off of the axle.

Thanks,
Marc

bikemeister

10-4

I had a bike with this type of drive system on it, kinda threw me for a loop at first.

Jeff Wills

Exactly. The old Shimano freewheels were like this- you have to remove the right-side nut and spacer before you can fit the tool on. It made us crazy back in the day.

FWIW: I was a Schwinn mechanic when those bikes were new (1979-1984). I've posted a couple times about the Shimano FFS system- feel free to ask for help.

onespeedbiker

I'm curious why you want to remove the freewheel. Your bike has what Shimano called their Front Freewheel System FFS. This drivetrain is completely different from every other drivetrain as the rear cassette is fixed (doesn't freewheel) and the chainrings freewheel around the crank. If you want to replace anything, odds are you will need to replace the entire drivetrain but the derailleurs and shifters. I just sold one of these and I wrote about it in my blog https://onespeedbiker.blogspot.com/20...-with-ffs.html

Kimmo 

FFS.

Hah...