Sorry if some of you have seen this already, but I'm cross-posting from the mechanics forum since this has to do with a tandem hub.

I've got an '83 Schwinn Voyageur SP that has 27" wheels, 36h in front and 40h in back with a 5 speed freewheel. I'd like to keep the 27" rims and go to a 9 speed cassette, but it can be a tough task finding a 40h rear hub without going with Phil Wood, White Industries, Chris King, or something similar that are more than I'd like to spend. That being said, I have found a Shimano HF-05 tandem hub that will accommodate a 7 speed cassette. Are there any issues with just swapping out the freehub with one that will accommodate an 8/9/10 speed cassette? From what I can tell it should work fine, but if anyone has done it it would be nice to have some confirmation.

I know I'll have to respace the stays (I've done it before), remove spacers from the hub to bring it down to either 130 or 135 (or respace stays all the way out to 145), and either cut or replace the axle with a shorter one (unless respacing to 145).

Any other thoughts or suggestions are welcome too.

On a similar note...anybody have a used 40h rear tandem hub that will take a 9 speed cassette that you're not using?