Forgive the newbieness, I tried looking at the MTBR SS FAQ and Sheldon's site but couldn't find an answer.

I've never worked on wheels before but thought I'd give it a shot. I have a rear wheel w/ a shimano freehub that I want to convert for use on a new frame spaced for 135 mm. (It's an Il Pompino). I'm trying to stay in a budget, so I've got an Open Pro CD's as a spare wheelset. I know I can use a fixxer, but I'm trying to keep this low cost and I'm OK w/ starting out as SS. When I can afford to, I will get a true flip flop wheel set.

1) Is this as simple as changing the axle to a longer one, assuming I center it correctly?
2) Any sites that explain how to change the axle? Is it as simple as just unscrewing it?
3) Any leads to where I can find a 146 mm axle? Sheldon's link doesn't sell it anymore and I can't find any axles this big.

Thanks.

First question: what is the rim diameter? Do you have enough clearance in the rear to even use the wheel?

What kind of rear drop out does your frame have? If they are vertical, it might not be as critical to have a solid axle for running SS. Depending on the actual width of the rear, you might actually be able to accommodate a road wheel without using any spacers (for example: some frames are designed to accommodate both road and track hubs). Redishing a wheel is no big deal, even if you don't really know how to true it.

you should be able to get an axel long enough from your local bike shop. There are some issues to be concerned about. Assuming the rear wheel is not sealed, it should be as easy as changing the axel. Make shure your new axel is the same thread as you current one so you don't need to buy new bolts and cones. If the hub is sealed I would take it to your LBS and have them swap it out, it could be more complicated.

It's an older shim 600 hub. I believe it's a cartridge, I just had them regreased about a month ago.

filtersweep
How do I redish? (Have to admit, this part "scares" me.) Wouldn't it make the wheels go out of true?

no, they are not cartridge, and it is really easy to change axles w/o needing to redish if you are converting to SS.
assuming your hub is spaced 126mm (or 130), you need to put equal amount of spacers on both side, so it would be like adding 4 or 5mm on each side(2 or 3 for 130).

are you going to QR, or nuts?
either way it should be easy for your LBS to order the right axle for you.

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The beauty of redishing is if you turn each spoke exactly the same amount, your wheel will be as true as before you started.