Yes, we all know how bad helicomatic freewheels are. I know they have flat teeth and don't shift as well as curved tooth freewheels. However, is it possible to make them shift properly to all gears? Have they ever shifted properly?

I have one on a bike now and it seems to upshift fine, but as it downshifts (up to larger cogs) it is very finicky and usually wants to skip over a gear or two. Specifically, the problem gears are the one or two above the largest sprocket. I can shift past those and with much clanging and gnashing of sprocket teeth it can make it to the largest sprocket and then I can upshift back to the skipped gears (if that makes any sense at all).

The derailleur & hanger appear to be straight. The limit screws are adjusted properly. The freewheel was a little sticky but I gave it a good dosing with light oil and it spins and engages perfectly now. Is there something I'm missing or is this just a usual issue or "quirk" with these freewheels?