Old raleigh cassette/freewheel

I've got my 20+ year old raleigh winner back from my parents garage wall and am giving it a bit of a cleanup and conversion to SS. First job is to get the mechs and cables off and SS the rear wheel. As this is my first conversion I'm a bit clueless.

Firstly on the last point, I need to get the freehwheel off but don't have the tools so I assume that's a trip down to the LBS. For getting the conversion done do I need to get the wheel re-dished or will it be fine (but not optimal) with spacers?

Oh and if anyone can recommend a cheap set of flat bars (not too narrow, I'm used to MTB bars) I'd appreciate it :)

With a little rise or totally flat?

I've got my 20+ year old raleigh winner back from my parents garage wall and am giving it a bit of a cleanup and conversion to SS. First job is to get the mechs and cables off and SS the rear wheel. As this is my first conversion I'm a bit clueless.

Firstly on the last point, I need to get the freehwheel off but don't have the tools so I assume that's a trip down to the LBS. For getting the conversion done do I need to get the wheel re-dished or will it be fine (but not optimal) with spacers?

If you dont want to keep the freewheel, look up Sheldon's guide to destructive removal of a freewheel. Basically you get the innards of the freewheel exposed through some brutal screwdiver work so that you got some flat(ish) surfaces available - then clamp it in a ... clamp, then turn the wheel to unscrew. Obviously the freewheel is no-more post removal.

Slight rise I think but flat is going to be fine anyway, the stem is tall enough. The stem is silver and I'll be getting a silver bmx seatpost so something in silver would work nicely.

i got some flat MTB bars in halfords for £14, there were fine.
if your after road check out the dildos on one have.

I've got my 20+ year old raleigh winner back from my parents garage wall and am giving it a bit of a cleanup and conversion to SS. First job is to get the mechs and cables off and SS the rear wheel. As this is my first conversion I'm a bit clueless.

Firstly on the last point, I need to get the freehwheel off but don't have the tools so I assume that's a trip down to the LBS. For getting the conversion done do I need to get the wheel re-dished or will it be fine (but not optimal) with spacers?

Go for re-dishing. Its a doddle too, you can even make your own dishing tool for next to nothing. Again. google is your friend here.

Well I got the freewheel sorted and a bmx one on. Problem now is the gap between teeth on my big ring and the freewheel don't seem compatible. It looks like the freewheel expects a chunkier chain (which isn't unexpected) but I have a feeling if I find the right chain for that, the big ring won't fit. I tried the original chain and two spares (9-speed Shimano, 9-speed SRAM) that I had but no go.

Do I need to go for a chunkier big-ring with larger spacing? The chain is the only part stopping me now as the rest is ridable even if it's not optimal.

Yup - you need a 1/8" chain for the bmx freewheel.

But will my exisitng big ring be okay?

Should be ok - I'm still using the original cranks on my peugeot cos I can't afford to replace them yet (although I'm using the middle ring not the outer one). There is no reason I can think of why you can't use the cranks you have, as long as the chainline is correct.

Seems mostly fine apart from some slip at the back when I'm putting some pressure down. Chain is slightly too slack so I'll shorten that tomorrow. Really not enjoying the old drop bars though :)