Originally Posted by
Road Fan
The steel in your '73 can withstand cold-setting easily. I wouldn't worry about ruining the frame as long as the work is done by someone who knows how to do it. If you have the original Normandy hubs (original at least on the late=60s models I recall), they will rebuild nicely as long as the races are not pitted. Cones can also become pitted, but are less difficult to handle as replacements. I'd suggest disassembling your wheel axles and getting an assessment of the condition of your bearings. You at least need to get the dirt and grimey, hardened grease out of it and clean fresh stuff in it. But, if the bearings will not smooth up and adjust correctly with clean grease and new balls, your old hubs are probably toast. Then it's REALLY new wheel time.
BTW, even old hubs that still feel smooth need to be overhauled, if it hasn't been done for 5 to 10 years, or more. Grease dries. If its dry but smooth, there's essentially no lubrication going on, and the running surfaces of the bearings will pit and fail if they haven't.
Oh, those old hubs are toast. I repacked them but they are pitted. I have them and the steel rims on a project bike I intend to refurbish and sell.
To clarify, my GP is already on new aluminum wheels with some new no name hubs. The only thing I saved from the old wheel was the five-speed free wheel. My question is really if I can improve from there with better hubs, double walled rims, and butted spokes. This is my daily rider, and I live in Ann Arbor, which has a mix of gentle hills and pitted roads. I'm looking for lower rolling resistance (I hear the Kendas howling -- drives me crazy), more responsiveness, and a bit less weight to carry up those hills.