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tagman21

I am starting some spring cleaning on the '84 Super Challenge that I dug out of a dumpster last year.

I took the rear wheel off today and took a look inside the freewheel and saw what's in the picture included. It has 24 splines and I'm having a hard time finding a modern tool that will remove it. I found a link to a Normandy/Malliard freewheel removal tool, but the product description is vague.

Anyone know where I could find a removal tool? Or do you guys think that my LBS would still have a tool?

Thanks!

tagman21

I actually didn't see the Malliard name on the sprocket until I just looked at the enlarged image on the site. I took the picture with my iPhone and it always flips the image for some reason when I put it on my pc or email them.

I'd still take some advice if anyone out there has any experience with this freewheel type.

Thanks again!

verktyg

You have a Normandy freewheel.

These were ubiquitous on European lower end bikes from at least the early 70s until the late 80s.

Any bike shop worth its salt (or pepper) should have a remover for one of these freewheels.

If not here's one on eBay for $12.00 USD plus $3.50 shipping.

http://tinyurl.com/6pm47ee

One word of caution, we used to replace these on almost every tuneup back in the 70s. We sold them for ~$7.00 each.

Why replace them?

Look at the small sprocket. It's worn out because many riders rode with both shift levers forward. That put the chain on the small front sprocket and small rear sprocket.

It resulted in extreme chain cross. Also, the chains were usually worn out and should be replaced too (they were never lubricated).

You can keep using the old freewheel but you may get chain skip on the smallest sprockets.

tagman21

Thanks Chas!

Any quick suggestions on replacements once I get that thing off?

Frenchbuilt

Its funny (sad) to look at how cheap the parts are on your average bike you buy today. The quality is inferior to even the worst older french equivalent. You know, those pieces that everyone said were crap but turn up on e bay for nice prices.

Go to google earth and look up Incheville, France.

Zoom in to the town center and you will see the entrance to the still standing abandoned Maillard factory.

The factory is bigger than the town and gave work to around 2000 people.

These guys made your freewheel and it will probably be clicking long after you are gone along with several other future owners of your bike.

Only until recently, things in France were built to last (just go through any village and look at the construction of houses/ buildings that were built hundreds of years ago and will still be standing hundreds from now)

The idea of building/manufacturing cheaply, sell quickly and make quick profits took them by surprise and basically wiped out lots of the industry
(and continues to do so!)

Your freewheel was well made. If worn out because of stupid use, replace it with one of the millions still around.

Just oil it.

Dan

verktyg

auchencrow

Chas. mentioned it already, but it is worth repeating:

When you install a new FW, you'll almost invariably need a new chain as well, because the old chain will not "know" the new FW and often, skip even worse than before. Exclamation

tagman21

Thanks to everyone for all the advice and info. It's much appreciated and makes this site an incredible resource.

I have a new chain ready to go and I'll keep an eye out for a replacement just in case this freewheel does skip a lot. There's a really ugly spoke guard on there that I'd like to get off. That's the other part to wanting to remove it.

Thanks again!