gordonsf

I have a 1981 Japanese 10-spd Schwinn Le Tour with a broken tooth in one of the 5 speed Shimano sprockets. I know I need to replace the whole freewheel and my chain. Does anyone know if I can replace this with any 5 speed freewheel, or are there specific ones that fit the Japanese-made Schwinns?

I saw a French-made Schwinn 5 spd freewheel on ebay, but wasn't sure if it would fit right. I've also seen a lot of Shimano FF assemblies. I'm new to bikes and bike repair, so I don't want to screw it up or order parts that don't fit. Would love to get some advice from knowledgeable folks such as yourselves.

Also, any recs on where to find what I need other than ebay? Thanks!

Lascauxcaveman 

Is the chain skipping or otherwise not working properly? If the bike is riding and shifting without any problems I wouldn't worry about it, just make sure everything is lubed and reasonably clean and keep riding it. Freewheel cogs and chainrings are like hockey players; they can often still perform quite well with a missing tooth or two

As for changing the freewheel, you just need the right freewheel remover tool (available at your local bike shop, or on the big auction website, or any other number of online places that sell bike parts) and a way to hold it (bench vise works best) and know which way to spin it (counterclockwise, with the tool in vise and the wheel set down on the tool). Although your LBS might do this for you for free, especially if you buy the new chain and freewheel from them.

Metacortex

I believe the '81 Le Tour came originally with a 14-28T freewheel with a gold finish. That was English 1.37" x 24 tpi threading, which is the most common type there is. Any 5-speed freewheel with that same threading will fit, and if you stay at 28T or less on the low gear you won't have to change the derailleur. You can get compatible new 5-speed freewheels from Harris and IRD.

pastorbobnlnh 

Gordon, welcome to C&V. We're glad you stopped by. Can you post a picture of your freewheel with its broken tooth?

I can replace the bad cog for you and service the freewheel at the same time. It will then be good for another 33 years. If you go this route you won't have to replace the chain (if it is still good).

Jeff Wills

Please post a picture. Some freewheels had oddly shaped teeth which can appear broken to the untrained eye. If it is indeed broken, you can substitute any 5-speed freewheel- they are essentially generic.

Universal Cycles carries at least one: https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=1665
IRD offers a couple different cog combinations if you're interested in experimenting with gearing: https://www.interlocracing.com/freewheels_steel.html

ThermionicScott 

It's not a broken tooth -- it's a "shift gate."

John E

This is a great opportunity to upgrade to an ultra-spaced 6-speed freewheel, as I have done with all of my "10-speed" bikes.

gordonsf

Thanks everyone for your responses. It's good to know it's easy to replace. Here are some pictures:
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/41w2brzyryjjr1v/alMH7uX2Uy

I can see where the shift gate (thanks ThermionicScott) has broken off....and I can feel it skip when riding.

pastorbobnlnh - thanks for the offer, but the bike was really well used when I got it, so I'm planning on just replacing the whole thing.

John E - I thought about upgrading....will I need to replace the derailer and chainring, too?

DiegoFrogs

I would probably just go with a basic 5-speed Sunrace freewheel and a 5-8 speed KMC Z-chain. The freewheel will use the same removal tool as the one you removed, and the KMC chain will mesh well with the Sunrace, or other, FW. We can't see your chainrings, but if the chain skips or skates over the teeth on them, I would think then about whether or not you need to replace them.

This stuff can probably be found on places like Niagara for about $25 or so. You've already removed the freewheel, so probably you like doing this sort of stuff.

pastorbobnlnh 

Yes, the freewheel or the cog need to be replaced. I agree, just replace the whole thing. The only time I've seen a broken smaller cog is when I've broken them on Suntour New Winners trying to remove them. I can't imagine how this occurred.

In fact, with the extra height on the freewheel body from that rusty chain guard, you might already have the space for a 6 speed freewheel. Measure the inside distance between the rear dropouts (where the rear wheel hub axle fits on the frame). 120mm is the spacing for a 5 speed and 126mm for 6 & 7 speed. Your spacing might be in between, say 123-124mm. If so, you should be able to fit the 6 speed freewheel.

As long as your largest rear cog is no bigger than 28T, you won't have to change the rear derailleur (RD).

Jeff Wills

Yes, by golly, that tooth is broken.

Jeff Wills

As Pastor Bob said, you can probably put a "standard" 6-speed freewheel on there without changing anything else. You might be able to install a 7-speed freewheel without changes, but then again you might have to adjust the spacers and readjust the dish of the wheel.

gordonsf

You all are great! Thanks so much for all your help. I plan on upgrading to a 6 speed freewheel so I can battle the hills of San Francisco a bit better than I currently am with a broken 5 speed. Woo hoo! Can't wait to get my hands dirty putting my bike back together!