WTB: Maillard Helicomatic Lock Ring Removal Tool
 

Just acquired a mostly original 83 Trek 720.
Just found looking for an inexpensive a Maillard Helicomatic Lock Ring Removal Tool.
This forum is the "BEST"
If you have one sitting around in your toolbox and don't have a need I am interested.
What have you got?
PM me
Thanks
Rick (OTS=OldTenSpeed)

Did not need that tool ..been a few yrs since I used. Suggest posting a pic to jog my memory.

Looks like this.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e5e1af7a0.jpeg
Photo Credit: VeloBase User cinco

If you don’t mind a little rust then I would be happy to send this one your way. Just send me a few bucks to cover shipping.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0dc4cd3a9.jpeg

Just had a Forum member offer to send me one.
Thank you for the kind offer

Well SOMEbody will come across this offer from BertoBerg...and if two happen to then hit me up, cause I have a spare and no need for two of these so will also offer mine (extra) to someone who covers postage.

EDIT: mine has been claimed but NOW I have to find it! :rolleyes:

I took a couple off without the tool, used a jubilee clip to get an equal grip all around, and used an adjustable spanner against the worm, no trouble.

In hindsight I would been fine with curved-jaw slip-joint pliers and care, they weren't that tight.

Yeup... that was it in my case.

HOMERUN.... member sending one. :thumb:

My very little experience with one is that it was easy to unscrew, but needed to be put on a bit tighter than I would like to do with pliers. Pedaling keeps that gear cluster tight, but freewheeling can cause it to back off. Mine did loosen and do funny things until I got the tool to tighten it. Not gorilla tight, but maybe 5-8 foot pounds.

I'm repacking bearings on my Dad's '85 Trek 620 that's been sitting for 30 years, and I came here looking to see what the funky tool looks like for the funky nut that's on the funky rear hub. Lo and behold, someone has the tool and is offering to pass it on. If you still have it BertoBerg, I'd be happy to put it to good use.

Yep! Just shoot me a PM with your address.

Thanks for the quick reply. Apparently I need 10 posts before I can send a PM. Not sure if there's a way around that. Maybe I can post my address here until you get a chance to see it, and then I'll edit the post to remove it?

This just means I should start asking questions on the forum and posting pictures of the bikes, :)

It looks like I *can't read PM's eaither, lol.

EDIT: can -> can't, oops.

I'll just do some forum participation today, and then send you the PM as soon as I'm authorized. Thanks.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e5e1af7a0.jpeg

Fun fact: the tool also functions as a bottle opener (top opening in the picture) and also as a spoke wrench for two sizes of nipples.

^ the one I finally found and sent was minus those "spoke wrenches", don't know if Maillard decided to simplify the tool in a later run or if somebody "drewed" them off of that one, but it did have the "M" logo and Made in France...more important to get that bottle open than try to true a wheel with crude nipple wrenches!
;)

For what it is worth, those lock rings are very soft and fragile. Using any kind of clamping tool, such as plyers or vice grips, is risky. I know for sure that I have one proper tool left and probably two. Years ago, I found a half dozen or so in a box at a local landfill site. Sold or gave away all but one or two. I would have to look to be sure of the count. If two, I would gladly sell one to a person in need.

You have the best landfills in North America near you...

If anyone needs a rear hub, freewheel and tool, let me know. I will never use them.

I just finished maintenance on the rear hub bearings and freewheel, and it turns out I didn't need the lockring spanner. I carefully used some channel-locks that engaged nicely with the teeth on the lockring and it unscrewed pretty easily. It's too bad the helicomatics have a so-so reputation, because it sure is nice removing a single lockring and then being able to pull the cone and access the wheel bearings. I greased those and then disassembled the freewheel. Did everyone know there are 68 (SIXTY EIGHT!!!) 1/8" balls in there? It actually looked pretty clean, but I cleaned it anyway, greased it, and put it all back together. Then I came in and did some reading and discovered the freewheels should only be oiled, not greased. :twitchy: That explains why it looked pretty clean after the kerosene bath and was lacking in the grease department. Oh well, I'll flush it out with oil over time.

I also replaced the original 37 year old Sedis chain with a KMC X8.93, and now it shifts like butter. BTW, I used Du Pont Chain-Saver in the yellow can, and I have to say I'm a big fan. Goodbye gunky chainrings and cogs. Bottom bracket is next, but not urgent because it seems pretty smooth.