But a new FW won't "run" with the same sound as a 30 year old Perfect!
Originally Posted by Jeff Wills
Well, maybe I should have said it's not fast. Back when I was working on bikes for money, it was accepted that taking an hour to overhaul a freewheel wasn't worth it, especially if a new freewheel cost less than half the hourly labor rate.
I agree, but if you don't want to throw away an old FW that could be re-conditioned for another 10,000+ miles of service, why throw it away?
They can look like new again!
Originally Posted by Jeff Wills
A Perfect freewheel can be rebuilt, but when you get the retaining ring off a zillion 1/8" ball bearings are going to go everywhere. It's best to take it apart over a dark towel so the little critters don't go skittering under the workbench. Clean thoroughly, then reassemble using bead of light grease to keep the bearings in place.
Just open it up over a plastic container wider than the largest cog. Tip the container so all the balls collect on one side or in one corner, spray with WD-40, Simple Green, or concentrated Dawn dish detergent (depending on the degree of dirtiness). Swish until clean. Carefully place the balls on a paper towel, "massage" or roll until dry.
I also add a drop of quality machine oil to the pawl pivot.
Originally Posted by Jeff Wills
I rebuilt my Suntour New Winner Pro freewheel a couple times, just for fun. Unlike the Perfect, the NWP had a genuine cone-and-locknut bearing adjustment that made it easy to tune the clearance exactly right.
I worked on a NWP for Jim Muller and it broke my Suntour Spanner Wrench!
When I've serviced the Perfects, they seem to self adjust just fine.
A few of my "Happy" freewheels after their time in the spa.
