Current Projects chat and miscellany

My GF's bike has an old 27inch wheel in the rear with an old worn mailard 5-speed freewheel - it skips badly and puts her off riding. I want to replace the freewheel but I've never dealt with helichromatic before and presume they aren't readily/cheaply available and that I'd need new tools?

I'm thinking that it might just be easier to buy a cheapo new 27 inch wheel with standard cheapo freewheel no? Does that sound like the best bet?

They're still available - http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/maillard-helicomatic-5-speed-screw-on-freewheel-ratios-1417212632-14-32-prod11610/
but by the time you've bought the tool it's probably cheaper to replace the wheel - Vintage Bike Cave have plenty of 27" wheels in stock at reasonable prices