I have been searching a bit for an exploded diagram of the brake-less nexus 8 hub, so that I might be able to figure out the mythical combination that would change the spacing to what I've anecdotally heard may go as low as 123mm.

I've googled around a bit and I've seen a few references to this, but I don't have a hub handy to reference and I'd like to know exactly which locknuts and such I'd need to remove or swap for narrower cousins.

If anyone has done this and can describe the setup, or perhaps better, has an exploded view of the hub, I'd appreciate the support.

Thanks.

See if this gives you something to start with ... https://www.sheldonbrown.com/nexus8/

Here is the link to the Shimano parts list and exploded diagram for the SG-8R25.

https://bike.shimano.com/media/techdo...9830647960.pdf

Also here is a link to the Nexus 8 service manual from the Harris Cyclery site which may be of assistance to you. It does seem to be for earlier version hubs however.

https://sheldonbrown.com/nexus8/index.htm

If working with a steel frame I would cold set the dropouts personally.

I've seen the sheldonbrown.com page, and it doesn't answer my question.

Thanks for the bike.shimano.com link, though it doesn't seem to be accessable.

I have a 120mm steel frame, I'm comfortable cold-setting it. Even if I had to change the spacing to 132.5mm or whatever the OLD of the hub is, it's only 6.25mm on each side. I'd rather just play around with washers and locknuts if I could find a reliable method.

You are right about the Shimano link. I originally reached the document from the Nexus 8 speed web page on the Shimano site. The hub info page includes links to two downloadable documents. One is the installation sheet and the other the parts list with exploded diagram. Seeif this link to the hub page works.

https://bike.shimano.com/publish/cont...e-hb_road.html

Sorry for the late bump, but I am wondering if you were able to get the Nexus 8 to work on your 120mm steel frame. I have a Steamroller and I'm thinking about doing exactly the same thing.