I need help determining if replacing my Huret Allvit derailuer with a Shimano RS derailuer on my 73/74 Raleigh Record is a smart way to go. I never liked the Huret Allvit. I find its' shifting to be unsure. I recently purchased an old Cintro 10 speed (with 26 inch wheels!) for $5 and was surprized to find a Shimano RS derailuer on it. I rode it long enough to determine that shifting with the Shimano unit was smoother and more reliable when compared to the Huret unit. OK. But here is the rub, the Huret unit has smooth Jockey and Tension wheels. The same wheels on the Shimano derailuer have teeth like a gear (as all other Shimano deraileurs I've seen). Should I try to change the Shimano Jockey and Tension wheels with the wheels from the Huret wheels or leave the Shimano wheels as is?
If I don't change the wheels and I replace the Huret unit with the Shimano derailuer, will the Raleigh chain work OK or will I have to use a Shimano chain? If I have to use a Shimano chain, what else has to be changed? Will I have to change the freewheel? Will I have to change the Chainwheel?
I have the old Shimano compatible freewheel from the Cintro and it is in good shape, and I have Shimano chains. If I have to change the Chainwheel, I have to scratch the project. The chainwheel on the Cintro is poor quality and slightly bent. I'm not really interested in investing in new chainwheels. One last question, Is it just as difficult to change the Huret to a Suntour derailuer? I have zero experience with Suntour derailuers?
Any help you can provide to prevent me from attempting this change on a trial and error basis will be greatly appreciated.