canflyboy

Just picked up an 80s Bianchi with Nouvo Record derailleurs. I think the rear wheel may have been swapped to make the sale as it's a different rim than the front and it was never really science out.

Problem. When shifting to the largestr cog on the six speed freewheel, the inner cage plate that holds the jockey wheels is hitting the spokes.

Adjusting the limit stop won't correct the problem (it won't make a complete shift to the outer cog).

Question: Can I remove the freewheel and put some sort of spacer between the threaded hub and freewheel? I need to move it out about .5mm.

Thanks

JohnDThompson 

Yes, a spacer can be used between the freewheel and hub, but depending on clearances, you may also need a spacer under the axle locknut to prevent the smallest cog from hitting the frame. If so, the wheel should be re-dished after the spacer is placed to keep it centered in the frame.

Andrew R Stewart 

The Campy nr ders have a lot of cage width and close to spoke placement is (or was) a common place situation. Some freewheels also place the large cog further inward, closer to the hub's shoulder. One trick I have done is to replace the pulleys with narrower 7 speed ones and used shorter pulley bolts. Also many wheels have a slack spoke or two. This can cause a spoke or two to "bow" further outward and be more likely to catch the cage. Andy.

FBinNY 

I disagree with Andy here. IME no freewheel set the sprockets more inboard than Regina (or Everest). If these are used on Campy hubs, there should be plenty of room, though some Japanese hubs had the shoulder inboard a bit more to pair with freewheels with the sprockets more outboard. Keep in mind that Campy derailleurs were designed around those tight Regina clearances, back when chains were wider too.

When I see an RD which has trouble shifting to low without brushing spokes, my first theory is a bent hanger that the idler cage to be inboard of the sprocket it lines up with.

Check the hanger, then, if necessary, and if outside clearance to the frame allows it, add a spacer behind the freewheel.

hueyhoolihan

first thing that enters my mind is bent derailleur hanger or bent cage on derailleur.

pat5319

If your pully's are not parallel to your freewhell/cassette or if bottom pulley is not slightly outboard on newer campy. You derailleur and/or derailleur hanger are bent. Easily done bumping a door can bend either

dsbrantjr

+1

Andrew R Stewart 

Francis- I actually think we ARE in agreement. The Op mentions no brand of freewheel, nor did I. I only stated that there can be a difference between brands. As you also state. I do agree with campy being originally designed around the tight fitting (to spokes) freewheels, but that doesn't change the fact that the cages still can snag on spokes sometimes. Just that many bikes are ridden with very little clearance without issues.

The comments about possible bent hanger are good ones. Also that adding spacers do have the issue of clearances being lost at the high gear end. One of the aspects of the advent of Asian bikes was that these clearances grew a bit making when one had to play around that much easier to get away with. Also the more reactive shifting of the Asian tooth, chain and der designs made the need for the "overshift" movements of the ders less. As chains got more flexible (side to side) this overshift need grew.

This second reflection makes me wonder what freewheel and chain is on the OP's bike. Andy.

SJX426 

I don't disagree with any of the comments, but wonder if the removal of a dork disk increases the possibility of interference. Other than that, I concur on DO RD hanger alignment comments.

FBinNY 

Yes and no.

The disc will prevent hitting the spokes, but the disc itself has some thickness which uses up some of the available space. In a few cases I've seen RD's that have problems shifting to low without rubbing the disc, but will clear the spokes very nicely when the disc is removed.

So it can be a trade off of increased likeliness of hitting or rubbing, but lower consequences.

To the OP - a classic RD of the Record series (Nuovo, Super etc,) should clear the spokes with almost 1/8" to spare in low (I just checked some of mine), so if you're doesn't, even on mismatched Regina freewheel on Japanese hub (worst case) there's something wrong.

SJX426 

My point. The thickness should not be enough to cause interference when removed.

canflyboy

Thanks all for responding. It is a Regina freewheel. This bike is a bit of a project, so this is what I'll check in order:
1. Hangar
2. Wheel dish
If the above look good, I'll machine a .5mm spacer - there seems to be plenty of clearance between the highest gear and the chainstay/dropout.

Thanks again.

rootboy 

Machine a spacer? Good on you. But aren't those sorts of spacers readily available?
Don't know, never used one.

squirtdad

+1 check the derailler hanger alignment Park Tool Co. » DAG-2 : Derailleur Hanger Alignment Gauge : Frame & Fork Tools

KJK

I just dealt with this on my old Bianchi and I agree with the above that either the rear derailleur hanger is slightly bent or the derailleur cage pivots have excessive clearance allowing the cage to lean into the wheel spokes. I ended up just tweaking the hanger enough to provide a few millimeters of clearance. It sounds like you just need a degree or so of tweaking to get your clearance.
The slightest movement of the hanger will provide a significant movement at the bottom of the cage.