What Are My Options If Uniglide F/Hub Is Shot - Want To Keep 6 Gears?

[woodbine]

My 25 year old MTB's 6 spd Uniglide is rumbling/roaring when rear wheel off ground and freewheeling. So looks like a problem with the freehub's bearings. As old U/G freehubs are unavailable, what are my options? I want to definitely keep 6 gears on the back, and would prefer not to spend big money on an old bike.I believe hyperglide is an option, can I have this and are they available in 6 spd? Presumably, I will need a new H/G hub and cassette - what else is required for the conversion? Will my original SIS shifters and derailleur still be OK?

I have chickened out on doing it myself so will be getting an expert to remove and hopefully rectify the old hub and change to H/G if necessary. I just want to armed with the right info before I get him to start. many thanks.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I would talk to the expert, and see what he suggests.

 

[fossyant]

Check the rear spacing. It should be 135mm.

If it is you can use most hubs and wheels.

Once you have the wheel rebuilt you will need an new hyperglide 8 speed cassette. Split this down and use the sprockets you want. Use the old spacers from the 6 speed cassette. You will need 2 or 3 spacers to go on first (use the ones from 8 speed block).

My MTB is 7 speed and I run on Mavic Cross Rides. 2 spacers on first then 7 hyperglide sprockets as spacers.

 

[woodbine]

Thanks for your replies, but I've had a bit of luck. I took the bike to a small out of town shop that I'd been recommended. They confirmed that the freehub's bearings had probably been dry for a long time and when ridden years ago, the bearings became damaged. The noise was quite loud.

Any way the chap I was talking to said that they could only do a Hyperglide conversion due to no U/G parts available. He said something along the lines of Fossyant's post about 7 speed and spacers. He went out the back to discuss with the mechanic and came back to confirm what he originally said. As I was umming and ahhing whilst talking pound notes, the mechanic came out with a complete, brand new 6 speed Uniglide freehub assembly complete with quick release lever. The mechanic said he had just remembered that he had one new, old-stock freehub left.

He's selling me the the complete assembly for £40, and as I prefer to retain my non-quick release axle, he will take just swap the new freehub for my old one. I will keep the rest of the new quick-release hub/axle for parts in case ever needed. The labour for this , including rear axle service with all new bearings is £15. I reckon that £65 all in is a bargain, considering that complete new 6 speed freehubs exactly the same as he is selling me are $US 100 if you import one from The US. And I get to keep the original 6 speed set-up and gears that I was keen to retain. Best to now buy myself a 6 speed cassette for the spares pile, in case mine wears out in the future. They're quite cheap. The old one isn't worn.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Old-S...126?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f2594fa9e

A few final question for the experts please - how do I keep the new freehub from failing prematurely like the other one? It was old, but not high mileage. Is it best to remove the actual freehub, clean and lubricate - or can it be done in situ? What oil or grease should I use? After what sort of mileage should I lubricate the f/h?

Many thanks for the info.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Always best to talk to the experts Their access to parts is phenomenal..

 

[Smurfy]

A few final question for the experts please - how do I keep the new freehub from failing prematurely like the other one? It was old, but not high mileage. Is it best to remove the actual freehub, clean and lubricate - or can it be done in situ? What oil or grease should I use? After what sort of mileage should I lubricate the f/h?

Many thanks for the info.

Most people don't service shimano freehubs (or old style freewheels), not least because of the relatively large number of small ball bearings. But for those that really want to:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#bodyservice
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/freewheels.html#disassembly
I appreciate and sympathise with your desire to keep it going, but you do need to remember that nothing lasts forever.

 

[gbb]

Most people don't service shimano freehubs (or old style freewheels), not least because of the relatively large number of small ball bearings. But for those that really want to:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#bodyservice
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/freewheels.html#disassembly
I appreciate and sympathise with your desire to keep it going, but you do need to remember that nothing lasts forever.

Oooh that'd be a challenge I'd enjoy, if I had an old freehub.
I could strip freewheels in my early teens...never needed to do one for decades now...never had a freehub fail on me, never keep a bike for long enough apparently.

 

[woodbine]

Most people don't service shimano freehubs (or old style freewheels), not least because of the relatively large number of small ball bearings. But for those that really want to:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#bodyservice
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/freewheels.html#disassembly
I appreciate and sympathise with your desire to keep it going, but you do need to remember that nothing lasts forever.

Thanks for your reply. I'm surprised that mine had failed although not having covered a big mileage. In view of the new Uniglide's rarity, I'm sure that some kind of regular lubrication regime will help extend it's life. This video shows a stuck freehub being freed off and lubricated with something called Phil's tenacious oil. Although I wouldn't need to soak the freehub in spirits, as it wouldn't be stuck like the one in the video, is there any reason why I couldn't use this oil on my Uniglide like he used it on his part?

The action starts at 5.20. Grab your popcorn!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ6XgztsfmU


Thanks to all who replied.

 

[Smurfy]

Thanks for your reply. I'm surprised that mine had failed although not having covered a big mileage. In view of the new Uniglide's rarity, I'm sure that some kind of regular lubrication regime will help extend it's life. This video shows a stuck freehub being freed off and lubricated with something called Phil's tenacious oil. Although I wouldn't need to oak the freehub in spirits, as it wouldn't be stuck like the one in the video, is there any reason why I couldn't use this oil like on my Uniglide like he used it on his part?

The action starts at 5.20. Grab your popcorn!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ6XgztsfmU


Thanks to all who replied.

When you have a 25 year old bearing/ratchet, it's not really about mileage. Rather it is about grease drying out. Yes you could try dripping some oil inside, but the risk is that any dirt around the opening is carried into the bearings.

 

[fossyant]

Good stuff.

PS 8 SPEED sprockets will keep you going if you have a Dremel. Just grind off the wider slot.

I keep my Dura Ace Uniglide going with sprockets from the US (bear in mind I don't get chance to ride it much).

 

[fossyant]

When you have a 25 year old bearing/ratchet, it's not really about mileage. Rather it is about grease drying out. Yes you could try dripping some oil inside, but the risk is that any dirt around the opening is carried into the bearings.

The advantage with the old Dura Ace is they had grease collars - you inject new grease, shut the collar and the old stuff comes out over a few miles..

You don't get that now..

 

[Smurfy]

The advantage with the old Dura Ace is they had grease collars - you inject new grease, shut the collar and the old stuff comes out over a few miles..

You don't get that now..

Does anyone remember the days when MBUK carried adverts for a kit that included a drill bit, several grease nipples, and a grease gun?

 

[fossyant]

Does anyone remember the days when MBUK carried adverts for a kit that included a drill bit, several grease nipples, and a grease gun?

I do.

Dura Ace 7400 had a plastic bit on the side of the hub, if you moved it it opened a grease port. Campag also had a central port at one point on the hub axel.

 

[Smurfy]

I do.

Dura Ace 7400 had a plastic bit on the side of the hub, if you moved it it opened a grease port. Campag also had a central port at one point on the hub axel.

One of my relatives has a pre war bike, and that has lubrication ports on the hubs and BB. Although the seals are now much better, in some respects the cycle industry has gone backwards.

 

[fossyant]

One of my relatives has a pre war bike, and that has lubrication ports on the hubs and BB. Although the seals are now much better, in some respects the cycle industry has gone backwards.

Blooming well has !!!!