OK, this winter my P-15 is undergoing a bit of a face-lift...I have my new SUN CR-18 rims ready now to be built up with my Campy record hubs, already bought and installed the new Campy Grand Sport Front D, and I'm keeping the Suntour VGT-Luxe Rear D. I have a triple crank and I am now debating what to do with the chain and freewheel. This may be silly, but is the Shimano hyperglide an option? Is there something better? This bike gets a LOT of miles, a LOT every season and the frame will also be going to waterford within the next few years(godwilling) so I want things done right. Your thoughts...

Just so you see what were dealing with...
And pay no attention to the saddle, the Brooks is on its way...

I don't see why you couldn't use a hyperglide freewheel. I am using a uniglide on my Raleigh and love it. I think you would be pressed to find a better freewheel, the new IRD freewheels are supposed to be very similar if you don't mind the nickel plating. I have heard decent things about the sunrace freewheels too.

Nice bike.

Also, can I increase the freewheel from 5spd to possibly 7spd?

I would say that is entirely doable. I just built a late 70's Super Le tour 12.2 with 9 speed Tiagra this afternoon. One little hand spread on the drops, and then a flick of the wrist, and it popped right in. I can't wait to ride it:-).,,,,,BD

You "might" need a little longer axle, and maybe a spacer to keep it out of the dropout, but sure.

I have this one in mind...anything better? And is this gonna fit my Campy Record Hub for that matter?
Shimano HG22 (MFTZ20) 6spd 14-28 freewheel

Only if you spread the rear end from 120mm to 126mm. Absolutely doable, but pay an experienced pro to do it. With all respect to Sheldon Brown and his article on "cold setting" (a fancy term for "bending," and it's perfectly okay for steel frames - and only steel frames) rear ends yourself, someone who knows what they are doing will charge $40 or so, maybe less. Pay the Pros From Dover. It's a heck of lot easier, and you will never get it quite right unless you happen to have the right tools.

If you want go 8-speed or more, you'll have to go to 130mm - also doable. I've heard folks say that spreading from 120mm to 130mm is too much and you'll risk damaging the frame, but I had it done to my 1967 Paramount with no problems. Ed Litton, the Richmond CA builder who did it for me, said that it might do some cosmetic dmage (not even that on mine), but nothing structural. He said going out to 135 was probably too much, though.

Treasure that P-15. It's a great-riding gem.

This is my P-15 (1972) with 700c wheels and an IRD, 7 speed freewheel (12-32). I did not cold set the frame to use a 126mm rear hub. I can spread the drop outs w/ my fingers and pop the wheel in or out with no problem. I LOVE the IRD freewheel vs. the old Regina and even more than a NOS Suntour Winner freewheel that I had used as well. I also added interuptor levers for an additional brake position. I use a set of Paul Racer brakes to get the extra reach needed for the front wheel vs. the old 610 Weinmann that was on there. It also allows me to run 32mm Panaracer Pasellas, which I like quite a bit

The bike has been modified quite a bit from original but none of the changes are permanent. I have all of the orignal pieces if I ever wanted to go back.

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