from an old motobecane

my fr-1 doesnt fit - it looks like the splines have the right type of spacing
but it is clearly too big

some searching indicated that i might need a:

https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Freewh.../dp/B001P9M6RU

but i dont know - like i said it looks like a fr-1 would fit but it def doesnt
any ideas - i have fr 1 - 7 and none fit

i dont mind picking up a diff tool for sure - but want to make sure the fw30 isnt the same as the fr1

edit: the tool imo looks a bit like the fr 5 and fr 1 had a child and this was the result

Point out the puller you think you need. Also, what is the make of the freewheel? This information can usually be found marked on the component itself.

Freewheel, cassette, and cartridge BB tools are like the black arts. It's almost predictable that the one you need you don't have. I suppose this is why we continue to acquire more and more of these mysterious looking bits of metal (at least to the untrained eye)!

Before 1985 Shimano sold a freewheel with a very small opening. No Name Spline-3 in randyjawa's picture will fit that. Does it look like that?
I don't recall for sure, but I think the FW30 is the same as the Park FR-1 more or less.


https://www.bicycletool.com/shimanosp...rpre-1985.aspx

According to this thread the tool is a TL-FW20.

Amazon still has them. Oops - still illustrations them. No surprise they are out of stock.

This lists it as still available
https://www.bikepartsplace.com/discou...-tool-tl-fw20/

And this is a FW with a old style opening.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...370#vi-content

QFT!
I have a dozen of them but I'm certain my next flip will require something different.

hmmm...just not sure if i should get the fw 20 or fw 30 (or both )

dead end on the FW 20 on that one site
ordered the 30 though

could this be comparable item:
https://cgi.ebay.com/Bike-Tool-Union-...item53e0c726a6

or this:

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I had the same problem about a month ago with a mid-70s Shimano FREE WHEEL (apparently exactly what it says on the tin) and just took the wheel into my LBS to have the freewheel removed instead of trying to guess which tool I should use. I'm kicking myself for not asking the mechanic which tool he used, but I do know he had to dig a bit to find it.

Although I obviously can't tell the dimensions, the CT-4 looks like it will fit the splines.

Early Shimano freewheels use a splined remover where the axle spacers need to be taken out before the remover will fit. Annoying.

Here's where to get the CT-4 remover: https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg...item_id=BR-CT4

thanks for the info - yeah - i got the axle out completely - the ct4 might be the one - freewheel removers are cool (and i dont know why )

The mechanic didn't have to remove the axle to get mine off, which is making me wonder who is/was making a thin wall version.

update the ct4 got it done

thanks all for the good guidance / info as usual

[QUOTE=pastorbobnlnh;12517914]Freewheel, cassette, and cartridge BB tools are like the black arts. It's almost predictable that the one you need you don't have. QUOTE]

Never a truer word has been spoken.

Having the right tool is what separates a craftsman from a bungler.

there is something real cool about them too - reminds me of collecting baseball cards - i'm up to 14 right now (and that kinda disturbs me )

Thanks for the information on the CT4. I ended up with one of those Shimano's a couple of months ago, the mechanic at Agee's had to remove it for me, as I didn't have the tool. Once I get that one, that'll give me something like 12 freewheel removers in the tool chest. So far.