masi61

Hi, I'm going to be running a new Dura Ace 7400 7-speed Uniglide hub in a nifty DT Swiss RR-1.2 wheelset that my LBS built up for me. I heard a few rumors that there was actually a version of this hub that was a combo UG/HG freehub body for this 7-speed version. I'm thinking the few references I have seen about this may have been erroneous, or, who knows? Maybe Shimano did make a few. I know that the Dura Ace "Integrated-8" eight speed freehub came in a Hyperglide compatible version in the HB-7403 rear freehub.
So, what gives? Can anybody confirm or put to rest that a DA 7 speed hyperglide variant was ever made.
I appreciate everybody on this forum. You guys and gals are awesome.

miamijim

No, not that I'm aware of.

Ex Pres 

According to Sheldon Brown only the 8s 7403 was dual compatible. I've never heard the rumor of a 7s version.
Even if there were a few prototypes, what do you think the odds of are finding one?

RobbieTunes

My 7400 wheelset was 8-sp freehub, and to go 7 I simply used a spacer. That's the only conversion I know of.

masi61

I didn't think such a beast existed either. I think it must have been a seller of a used set of hubs who insisted that they were Dura Ace 7400, 7 speed, and Hyperglide. Its buyer beware on some of these auctions. Like a roll of the dice. A lack of product knowledge and innocent claims about compatibility that turn out to be incorrect. That's why I've learned to always ask questions.

Bianchigirll 

I think I recall some hubs like this. they were 7spd HG but threaded to accept 6/7HG but they were usually on lowerend replacement wheels.

miamijim

Correct. I have a 7s 105SC hub that accepts both Uniglide and Hyperglide cassettes.

masi61

I knew about that option, however I am wanting to stick with 126mm frame spacing for my 1978 Masi Gran Criterium. I wouldn't dare mess with the rear triangle on this bike. Its a classic and the chainstays are nice and beefy just as they are.

RobbieTunes

I understand. miamijim made a 126mm 8/9/10 freehub work. 2mm per side doesn't seem to be that big a problem. Good luck.

masi61

That's cool. I have a set of Deore LX mountain hubs that I changed the axel on to convert it to 126mm spacing. I've got these set aside for another project. The 105SC hubs you mention mount their freehub body in the modern manner using a special fine thread recessed allen screw that accepts a 10mm Allen wrench (just like modern Shimano freehubs). The rare part I'm seeking would be a Dura Ace 7400 7 speed freehub body that could accept hyperglide. The Dura Ace 7400 freehub bodies had a proprietary design that has a built-in mounting bolt with coarse threads. Removal of the freehub body from the hub requires Shimano tool TL-FH10. This tool is splined on the end. The splines slide perfectly into the freehub body for easy removal from the hub (once the axle and cones are removed of course). The Hex head of the tool is 24mm so it can be removed with a 24mm wrench or socket, an adjustable wrench or is close enough that a 1" wrench will also work. One experiment that I would like to try is to dis-assemble one of the 105SC 7 speed freehub bodies and see if the outer part from one could be transplanted onto the other. A lot of work, yes, but possibly a nifty upgrade to modernized the obsolete Dura Ace hub. 7 speed hyperglide cassettes are much more plentiful.

Ex Pres 

As long as you keep the threaded outer UG cog, you can use HG cassettes on your UG hub, with a little Dremeling/filing of the one narrow slot.

miamijim

masi61, IIRC there may been a 126mm 8s hyperglide Dura Ace hub. Do NOT confuse them with 7s 26mm hubs. I'll try to dig up some pictures.

Bob Barker, 100% agree. Dremel down the wide tab and your goood to go.

masi61

Now there's an even cooler thought. As some of you who have read some of my posts in the past may know, I'm a purist about my steel frames from the 70's/80's that have the 126mm spacing. I have tried to stay within these parameters so I always considered 7speed my max on these bikes (I do have 2 more modern bikes with 130mm spacing, a Cannondale CAAD3 R1000 and a Flyte SRS-3.) If its within the realm of posibility to try a different axle and spacers on a 8 speed dura ace hyperglide hub, maybe I'll try that. Shoot, I've got several new Uniglide Integrated 8 cassettes that I could use. I would just be a little concerned about possibly having to dish the wheel too much or running the risk of having cog #1 rubbing the inside of the chainstay at the dropout. I think the dimension of the 8 cassette body compared with the 7 cassette body is like +5 mm.

miamijim

Dig up my old thread on the topic. I converted a a 130mm DA 8s Hyperglide hub to 126mm w/ only a 1mm or so change in dish. And when I was done, I put a 10s cassette on it.