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Why Japanese freewheels took over! A Suntour from the 70s is likely to be more precisely made than European equivalents.
Japanese bike parts from the 70/80s are as well made as bike parts ever were, probably the best ever tbh, also some very intelligent design.
Not only did Suntour design the modern rear derailleur they perfected a splined sprocket/freewheel body interface that left Regina and Sachs et al looking very old school. Also the twisted tooth pattern really helped shifting.
It’s sad that often the older European components are, the better made they are also.
Does anyone know about compatibility of Regina sprockets across different bodies and eras?
If I have to frankenfreewheel
absurdbird
Ah that’s great, thanks for info.
I did fully service one a couple of years ago. The idea of taking off the face plate with a pin spanner is a joke, I’ve had to use a punch and a hammer both times I’ve taken one off. Maybe now I know what penetrating oil actually is that might help, but still servicing can be destructive.
When I got it open I just found I really needn’t have bothered. And to get the balls and pawls back in and the outer body on, you need at least three hands.
Getting the sprockets off with 2 chainwhips is ok as @benjaminbunny says. You probably won’t be able to get the last one off, but at least you can give them all a good clean including the one left on the body. I’ve started just soaking in paraffin scrubbing and spinning for a few soaking cycles, then flush with wd40, then I feed in Phil Wood Tenacious Oil (I’m sure there are other equally good options - I have a little bottle and pretty much only use it in freewheels).
That has made a couple of gritty feeling freewheels turn nicely again.
If there’s play in it I don‘t think you can do much about it. And it probably came like it. The one I fully serviced was an Oro so should be the best quality but it had play - just felt like the 2 thin (shim?) washers inside were too thick. I tried without one and it bound, and with both there was play. I couldn’t get it just right.
As far as I know tolerances were just a bit sloppy. Why Japanese freewheels took over! A Suntour from the 70s is likely to be more precisely made than European equivalents.
@benjaminbunny thanks for corroborating! I suspect your method is appealing to @absurdbird as it doesn’t involve buying an expensive tool!