5-speed friction shifting issue

g00se
g00se Posts: 2,221
edited August 2015 in Workshop
Hi,

Maybe it's my expectation, but I'm finding setting up a retro 5-speed rear mech a bit of a pain. It works OK, but the chain often find itself in a position over the freewheel so that the chain 'floats' over the sprocket, and doesn't drop onto the teeth properly. I know it's a matter of adjusting until it falls into place, but this particular setup just seems more prone to it that others.

As it's a 5-speed, the sprocket teeth are good and square, and in comparison to modern chains, the plates have a good bit of width and a square profile too. Could it be the make of freewheel and chain adding to the issue?

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    This is normal - until we had the advent of profiled teeth from Shimano and the knack was to know how much of an over-shift you have to make to get the chain to seat correctly and then a slight adjustment to remove any noise.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • dj58
    dj58 Posts: 2,223
    Hi,

    Maybe it's my expectation, but I'm finding setting up a retro 5-speed rear mech a bit of a pain. It works OK, but the chain often find itself in a position over the freewheel so that the chain 'floats' over the sprocket, and doesn't drop onto the teeth properly. I know it's a matter of adjusting until it falls into place, but this particular setup just seems more prone to it that others.

    As it's a 5-speed, the sprocket teeth are good and square, and in comparison to modern chains, the plates have a good bit of width and a square profile too. Could it be the make of freewheel and chain adding to the issue?

    Are you saying that the chain does not mesh with the sprockets? Which of the components are new and which are original? Could be that the chain needs to bed in.
  • kettrinboy
    kettrinboy Posts: 613
    On my 81 Raleigh Record Ace the original 6 speed and only lightly worn freewheel with square edged sprockets was replaced with a more modern 6 speed Shimano freewheel and it improved shifting no end so perhaps a change of freewheel might help.
  • g00se
    g00se Posts: 2,221
    Cheers - sounds like I'm just used to profiled sprockets.
  • As above, what freewheel have you got?
  • g00se
    g00se Posts: 2,221
    Not sure the make - can't pop the wheel out at the moment as it's being ridden - but it'll be a late 70s French block:
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Can you try a chain where the pins are flush with the side plates? To my eye yours look like they stick out a fair bit, and it could be the protruding pins stopping the chain dropping neatly onto the sprockets.

    Is it possible you have a singlespeed chain on there??

    ETA when my son did up an 80's Peugeot we stuck a 7 speed freewheel and a cheap Shimano chain on, and it all works flawlessly with friction downtube shifters. TBH I occasionally take it for a spin just to practice changing gear. The springy steel frame and the infinite trimming possibilities take me back to the days of my youth!
  • g00se
    g00se Posts: 2,221
    Cheers - I'll get it up on the stand and check out if the pins are an issue.