Shimano FF system queries
 

Just picked up an old Schwinn Sport Collegiate with the FF system. Tearing into it more as a learning experience than a serious attempt to put the bike back on the road. Of course, having never seen one of these up close before (I had left the bicycle business before they came out), I'm a bit befuddled.

1. Removing the freewheel (er, five-speed fixed gear?): What is the method for getting the freewheel off? I assume there's some special tool needed?

2. I've got the crank off, no big deal. Now, how does one take the crank freewheel apart? Once again, a special tool is needed?

After posting, I started a few Bing searches, as well as an eBay search. Got a few answers regarding operation of the FF system, although no past posts on mechanical refurbishment. eBay, however, came thru! I managed to find a NOS Shimano two part tool set for removing the freewheel and crank freewheel. Bought it immediately - I've always got room in the drawer for another specialized tool, and this is far from the first bike like this that I've noticed in the Richmond area.

The cogset is a freewheel, as well, but stiffer than the front. In an emergency, you don't want a fixed cog w/ a derailleur tensioning system.

Syke, if you call the Bicycle Post in Greenville NC (on Cotanche St) and speak with Hal, he can tell you all you need to know about them. He has spare parts, too. Last time I checked, he had both an NOS complete crankset and just the crankset.

I salvaged a large (25"?) World Tourist frame I would like to liberate from it's FFW bottom bracket cups... I should drag it to one of the older shops near by, but it might be more fun to dremel out from notches and use a lock ring tool :p

Standard pre-Uniglide Shimano splined freewheel tool, TL-FW20, I think. It's smaller in diameter than the Uniglide TL-FW30 and thus requires removing an axle spacer in order to insert the tool in the freewheel. There was a Bicycle Research version, but I can't find one online.