I'm stuck in helicomatic hell. (You know the place, somewhere between Dante's fifth and sixth circles.) I'm rebuilding a 1984 Trek 520 for a cross-country trip, Virginia to Oregon. Can't find a daggone helicomatic remover tool for the cogs on the rear hub. Anybody? I've done internet searches the last couple of weeks, and am coming up with a big goose-egg. Thanks.

Update: oh never mind! I found one with the nice people at Yellow Jersey. They're mailing it out today. Hooray!

I'll loan you mine but you have to promise to mail it back (and I have to actually find it first). Otherwise, it's get lucky on eBay, I guess. oh yeah, and Yellow Jersey, forgot about them

BFing hammer and screwdriver maybe?

I will look and see if I still have one around in a old tool box when I get home tonight..if I can find one you can have it....

I have one but it looks like you ordered one already.

Oh well, I am in Fairfax/Annandale if you still need it.

I don't think it's a good idea to embark on a cross country trip with a Helicomatic hub!

E-bay. There is at least one there right now (no link). Pipe wrenches and channel lock pliers work as well, but chew things up a bit. I would NOT ride one accross country unless you have a few spares with you (ESPECIALLY cones).

Thanks to all who offered a beer opener. I got lucky with Yellow Jersey.

Maybe you're right about not going cross country with the Helicomatic. But I'm thinking that I can change out my current cog configuration of 13/14/17/20/24/28 to something more like 15/18/22/26/28/32 or even a 34 on the big cog. I'm working on finding a 22/32/42 crank configuration to handle the Rockies and Ozarks. (Don't really know what I'm talking about here but the intent is to be able to grind up mountains.)

Anyway, where else am I going to be able to custom a 6-cog hub like that?

Once I get into the hub (remover's coming), I expect to overhaul it with new bearings and some Phil Wood grease, hopefully the races aren't too pitted or the cones too worn. If karma shines, maybe I can find a spare axle and cones for the road, and off we go.

With all those precautions, you think it's still not a good idea?

My only concern is that my rear rim is a 36 hole eyeletted Matrix Safari with 25 years on it. I'm a little worried about metal fatigue, although it looks practically new. I'd like to upgrade to a Wolbur Super Champion Model 58 with 40 or even 48 holes, and of course a Phil Wood hub would be great with some Wheelsmith 14/16 doublebutted spokes, but till that comes along...

It's Helicomatic Time!
Happy Is As Happy Does.
kate

If you need spare parts let me know.

Not advisable. The ring is soft aluminum and would likely be unusable after such treatment. Good luck finding a replacement if that happens.