was almost imposible to get off. and by taking it off and putting it back on the axel got tightened or something which made it not spin as well. Very happy that I found a used mavic wheel for cheap. As for the other GT bike with the same components I guess I might have to get a modern wheel with a new cassette to get it functioning. Although the old wheels say Japan on them which makes me assume they are good, they are actually garbage.

oh well. sometimes punting is our only option. :(

I haven't tried this but - ...

Go to the hardware store and get the shortest piece of 1 1/4 PVC pipe they'll sell you. If you don't have a saw guide, buy an auto hose clamp for a guide to get a nice, square cut. Make spacers from that to get a single cassette cog to line up perfectly with your chain ring.

If 1 1/4 is too small, use 1 3/8. I had a piece of that in my workshop. It fits a little sloppy but I'm pretty sure it would work.