What parts do I need to change to have more gears on my 70's tourer currently fitted with a 5/6 speed freewheel, friction shifter and Raleigh rear derailleur?
a) new road free-hub wheel with cassette/cogs
b) new jockey wheels...?
c) new chain...?
d) ...?
You don't mention whether you have more than one chainring at the front. As Ed said, increasing the number of chainrings buys the biggest increase in range and number of gears. You'll have to tell us a lot more if you want better advice. (is it 5 or 6 gears? what's the dropout spacing? what is the chainset (cranks and chainring(s))? (how's it put together? how's it fixed to the axle?) does the frame have cable routes for a front derailieur mechanism? what are the tooth counts and what problems are you trying to overcome with the ratios they give you?)
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/freewheels.html#custom
You don't mention whether you have more than one chainring at the front. As Ed said, increasing the number of chainrings buys the biggest increase in range and number of gears. You'll have to tell us a lot more if you want better advice. (is it 5 or 6 gears? what's the dropout spacing? what is the chainset (cranks and chainring(s))? (how's it put together? how's it fixed to the axle?) does the frame have cable routes for a front derailieur mechanism? what are the tooth counts and what problems are you trying to overcome with the ratios they give you?)