Single Speed Freewheel Overhaul - Disassembly/Assembly

How to tear down, clean, lube and rebuild a single speed freewheel. I install brand new bearings. Other models of singlespeed freewheels might be slightly different require modified procedures. This freewheel was from a Trek Subvert 1.0 BMX bike.
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[@RJTheBikeGuy]

For more bike repair videos hit the subscribe button 🛑 and click the notification bell ► bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy

[@whatyoudo9773]

thanks man spreading knowledge to the world ! I know these parts are just in the dirt on every kids bike with zero regard for thier wonder but I find them fascinating precision art.

[@LuisGonzalez-fh3vt]

Muy bueno el tutorial e instructivo gracias Luis gonzalez cordoba argentina

[@gregwright6281]

@@whatyoudo9773 Well said. It's amazing how easy it is for people, my self included, to overlook and take for granted some of the great engineering achievements by humanity, simply by not knowing how something truly works at the deepest level. Anytime I see something like this I never look at that particular thing the same way

[@michaeldotimas9122]

Where do I buy Phil grease

[@131larison]

I lost track of how many times he says "here?" Great videos but I had to mute it! 🤷‍♂

[@jayavarhan]

Hello sir. Hope you are doing good. My dad bought me a bicycle when I was 12 and I loved it. I had a great time riding it. As time passed, my interest grew in different automobiles and eventually my bicycle grew old and at one point it became trash. I am 36 now and one day I found my bike collecting dust and in really bad shape. the Good time I had with my bike just flashed in front of me. thought of restoring it. I was not able to find a good mechanic around. when searched on youtube, I found your videos which helped me to restore my bicycle to the best condition. Sir, I want to thank you wholeheartedly for helping me restore my bicycle and showing me a healthy way of life. God bless you.

[@takeokl3161]

this is wholesome

[@willkeen5010]

Wonderful story. I have located my childhood bmx and hope to restore it soon as well. There is something said about working on your own bike from the past.

[@jayavarhan]

@@willkeen5010 All the best and thank you. :)

[@jayavarhan]

@@takeokl3161 Thank you :)

[@wyatts.1726]

Hi @RKTheBikeGuy, I've looked through dozens of videos on this process and yours is by far the most informative and so well put together. I know this was posted 8 years ago and I'm not sure you will even see this but just in case you do, I wanted to thank you. This video saved the bike restoration project with my daughter!

[@mrjag4089]

Best explanation for the job I’ve seen all day!! I’m gonna go try it now

[@victorkhong7654]

Your instruction is clear, concise and without the rambling talk which some other videos have. You are top notch. Thank you for sharing.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I appreciate that!

[@Kaiwasoyokaze]

This worked perfectly for me and now I have a spare 18t SS freewheel lying in my toolbox. Thanks RJ the Bike Guy!

[@519CZRacer]

Great information. I have a vintage Suntour freewheel/hub that has the inner ring on the opposite side! I had no choice but to get the whole freewheel off first. Thanks for the well made videos.

[@waynebagley]

Thanks RJ. I'm a huge singlespeed and fixie guy. Appreciate this video. One of my favorites. I will use this one at some time.

[@davidcathro3510]

Thank you, I tightened my sons friends bike chain and the freewheel seized, this video saved my ass

[@kaushikiyer3859]

Love your videos.... Glad to see "India" on the part! Hopefully one day I see highend bike parts coming out of my country! Btw I'm a huge diy guy too. As I love servicing parts! Also the lack of a lot of rare stuff encourages me to do whatever best I can do salvage things. Been thinking of posting videos too! Your videos are very encouraging!

[@thepowerpointclub2820]

Thank you. I’m fixing up and old bmx for my son and this saved me a ton of head scratching! Awesome!

[@unos10]

I dont really have a question. because you explain everything very well, but i would like to say that your videos are very informative, it is always easier for me to fix bicycles if i know what the parts look like on the inside and what to look out for. your videos does exactly that, every time i watch your videos im like "Thats looks like something i can do". Thanks for all the help :)

[@BrainSeepsOut]

Surprising how small these pulls are, there's a lot of tension on those tiny parts!

[@peterenis8447]

Yep, but not enough leverage to break them.

[@TeezerDriz]

Excellent video. Detail and every detail is important. Thank you.

[@shawnwaldrop3702]

"now, I'm going to use a pair of tweezers..." You sir, are a patient man. This is about the time I just order a new one. #iknowmylimits

[@johnhenrick2298]

Good to know! I had to replace the freewheel on a trike when bike shops were either too busy or didn't want to do it. I needed to remove the adapter to reuse it because the freewheel was totally shot. It was a friend's trike, and I believe it had seen a lot of rain. I had to cut through the cog with an angle grinder and then torch the center part so I could unscrew it from the threaded adapter. I tried to punch the outer ring loose, but didn't know it was a left hand thread, not that it mattered in this case because it was trash. When I finally cut it open, out fell dozens of tiny, rusted ball bearings. I appreciate learning from your video.

[@mariojacquez888]

Thanks for sharing your video, I'm a automotive mechanic and I've always kicked around with bikes but not in depth of course until my grandson asks me to fix his freewheel.... hhmmm...really?? Lol.. Watched your video and wow.... Your amazing... Bet I can do it now...Thanks for your time in making my grandsons ride time much more enjoyable.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+mario jacquez Most often they are just replaced. :D

[@westsgarage5969]

Thanks for showing the mechanism and interconnecting pieces. Very helpful

[@chuck_butcher]

Exactly what I was looking for. Great video as always!

[@yvesn58]

Thanks for your useful video. I'm surprised that you don't put grease when installing the new ball bearings but only oil.

[@leestimson12]

Rebuilding a Huffy Cranbrook for a friend, next a Schwinn Hollywood already sold. Video comes just in time. thanks once again T.J for a great lesson.

[@rosiecarr5147]

Brilliant Video, Clear and concise and very helpful. Thank you

[@killer_subzero1116]

7 year old but still great info. Its definitely a big challenge for a at home fixer my big issue is spokes but now i have freewheel knowledge. Thanks rj.

[@xxxxCHICOxxxx]

RJ the G.O.A.T. Thank you so much. You have helped me tremendously, great video.

[@hendy4584]

Excellent video and I’ve done this many times now based on these instructions.

[@47LeDoux]

I really enjoy this mans videos. They are really informitave and makes things easy to understand. BikemanforU is more being silly and trying to sell sell sell

[@readysetsleep]

He is done as a bike shop, closed down shop back in 03/18. Now he is promoting his Oyster Farm business. Last video had him breaking down the cost of scrap metal run to the cost of his dump fees to clear out the garage.

[@fast_is_just_the_way7807]

I am 14 and like to work on bikes and this really helped... thanks

[@Amaranu]

i had a big problems with biking because of the dirt in the freewheel, and you helped me solving it. thank you so much ! keep it up btw

[@pablomanduca]

Thanks thanks thanks, for all the knowledge you share with the community! Greetings from Uruguay ;-)

[@jamesfpianist1168]

Yep, seeing how that works with only 2 pawls and all that slack before engaging is making the White Industries freewheel look like money well spent. Sealed bearings is the way to go for sure. I would buy the Profile freewheel if I could buy a replacement cog at some point. Not willing to spend that much money unless Profile sold every part needed to rebuild it. 1991 Redline with 185mm single pinch flight cranks and GT Mohawk Hubs. Tired of sketchy freewheel noise. Thanks for the video. Very informative. 👍

[@SergeyGalin]

I have Shimano, Sturmey Archer and a couple other brand single speed freewheels and they all came new with zero grease inside. I added a little grease to the races into some just because the sound of the dry balls rolling inside was annoying. One thing I think you didn't mention (or I missed it) is that it is important to keep the grease away from the ratchets because it may cause them to get stuck pressed in at cold temperatures.

[@spotlessflooring2407]

Thanks, this was helpful in understanding how a bicycle rear sprocket works and gave me a little more vocabulary. "Single speed free wheel"

[@ab_customz_llc]

Awesome video, just what I needed. Thank you!!

[@Dirgean]

Beautifully explained, so useful! I got subscribed also! Thanks for the good work and keep it up!

[@peterdtrask]

A very thorough and detailed video! Thanks!

[@dan8346]

I believe it is Zen I feel while watching this dude work.

[@raeorion]

Thank you so much for this tutorial, I needed to replace a spokes and didn't have all the proper tools, ended up disassembling *nearly* the entire freewheel -- still no spokes 😅 -- at least now I know I didn't ruin my bike!

[@rodarezekisepeda]

Im from Indonesian..nice tutorial how to repair singel freewheel bicycle..i have workshop bicycle too...good job..

[@crazylottodude6711]

Great video! Just fixed my freewheel today. Thanks!

[@malikishtar8]

its very educational video!now i;m very confidence to fix my BMX , THNK mr.RJ.

[@sassythesasquatch4636]

Thank you some that just gets to the fucken point and actually shows you how to do it this did my due em head in for like 2 weeks mine is covered in grees so I didn’t even see the dimple

[@mikkelgiaquinto8690]

Thanks for the tutorial, it was very helpful.

[@charlesmurphy1840]

One question why did you use oil and not grease?any bearings I’ve ever done on any mechanical item I was taught too use grease.I’m not saying you are wrong ,just curious

[@tommygregory8461]

Rj what is the size of ball bearing in that single speed

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Probably 1/8" You need to measure yours.

[@austenleegonzales1600]

i realy enjoy this vedio because i learn something

[@xavilanuite7408]

I love clear explanations! Thanx

[@elvisp8104]

i just got a 60's olympia single speed bike.Now i know what to do.Cranks were hell to remove.

[@alwinkluit]

Thanks, I'm going to use your instruction video to overhaul my bmx freewheel (which runs free both ways occasionally)

[@dawnintorontoland]

Would an overhaul like this fix my issue of pedalling and my bike not moving?

[@jaylord55]

cam to figure out if i could remove the paws and use one of Theas as a Idler pully on a recumbent trike build and looks like it will work

[@hsn_994]

this is the best video ever !! you helped us a lot, many thanks

[@marcusjefferson6230]

I think your help was awesome, I couldn't figure out where all thise barings came from

[@alexanderwolf3552]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@singletona082]

Perhaps a silly question RJ: Could a single speed cog fit on a multi-speed freewheel body? I ask because i had rednecked a thing using a spare freewheel where it only had one cog on it and i'd fashioned spacers to keep it in proper line. Was considering if putting a proper single speed cog would be of any improvement since the teeth don't have narrow-wide profile and it isn't intended to shift.

[@readysetsleep]

I'm glad I upgraded to a White Industries Freewheel, sealed bearing. I have a hard enough time with loose bearings with headsets and bottom brackets.

[@tarquiniusgaylord8168]

Another great video RJ. Top work.

[@SixBlix]

There really should be a weather seal on that bearing cover, when it's all put together the gap is wide enough you can easily see the ball bearings.

[@foreignpigdogx6221]

Hi RJ. Everyone in my bicycle project's shop references your videos because you do a great job all the time… Concerning this video: I stick a magnet onto a scribe or small screwdriver to hold and insert single bearings. I do that because too many times I have launched a bearing across the workbench by squeezing them with greasy tweezers (maybe I should just be more careful? :| ).

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I heave never had too many problems losing bearings. Maybe one or two, but I just grab another. Glad you find my videos useful! Thanks!

[@harveyjones5027]

Hi there, what is the audible (or other) indication that a single speed freewheel is close to failing. I am hoping to understand any warning signs I need to be aware of so I don't experience failures on my commute, ideally would replace before that happens. thanks

[@519CZRacer]

How do you get the "ring" off a vintage 1978 era Suntour freewheel? The ring is on the opposite side of the cog, necessitating removal of the cog from the hub just to gain access to it. Tapping it clockwise hasn't loosened it at all.

[@surfpile9142]

Great videos. Very well done. I like the detail you go into.

[@athulty6065]

Very use full bro. Thanks for the video....

[@blipco5]

Thanks, I didn't know this is so easily serviceable. How would I know when to rebuild it? Will the sprocket show some play?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

They can often be rebuilt, but are usually just replaced. But not everyone has that option. You can clean and lube a freewheel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oofGYqVonM6khsU

[@brianshea2896]

Hello, and thanks! But can you reverse the springs and pawls, or are the posts different sizes?

[@longhorn8459]

Excellent! I ordered the fr-3 on accident as it looks really similar to the fr-6, buyer beware! Fr-6 is on its way to my house!

[@jameskeegan00]

This really helped me out. Thanks!

[@KryzOrlinski]

Great video. As you have stripped it down would you recommend swapping for new ball bearings (perhaps ceramic ones) to help for longevity. Also lube/grease can you advise what you would recommend I have heard using sewing machine oil

[@nancyvictoria3115]

Buen trabajo aunque hablo español entende ese video pues tú manos me hablaron Gracias muchas👍👍👍👍👍🌟🌟🌟🌟👍👍👍👍

[@pedrofernandes6505]

hey! thank you very much , your video is great, I had a huge gap in my cube and did not know how to solve looked for videos of hills but only convinced me !! I just like ... and it was great !! Thank you so much #portugal

[@harrystordeur9148]

Very good easy to follow

[@danielphilipnavarro4061]

i will try this. thanks for the help

[@tattoosteveneo]

Thanks for this!

[@ryandukette2525]

thanks.. now to find out if my pawls are gummbed up n stuck or broken..

[@haroldlbc]

This is nice video, thanks!

[@raymondchew8894]

You have a pair of delicate hands. Just like a doctor need steady hands to perform surgery. Thank for the video and information.

[@andersmilling820]

Super helpfull thank you so much!!

[@Trialbike]

Great video!! Thks for share. Kind regards!!

[@kjuarez29]

Great video. Thanks for sharing!

[@maryann5872]

help my freewheel cracks everytime spin it. not as normal crack but it behaves strangely like something is stuck in there. is it time to buy a new one? Thanks :)

[@swarnendumunshi]

Thank you so so so so much❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@hitokiridm]

do you have any suggestions on how to make a single speed louder?

[@confusedobjectives1070]

Really useful thanks. Any reason an oil is used rather than a grease? The seals on these freewheels are terrible and oil will leak out and get washed out by water - won't last long in winters here. Phil Wood makes the bearing grease, which is what I'd use - or any high viscosity great that is good at low speeds and heavy loads.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

This oil is thick and kind of sticky. Perfect for this application. Grease is too thick and can cause the pawls to stick.

[@vipvopvipvop]

@@RJTheBikeGuy - Yes, not familiar with that oil and just read that Sheldon recommended oil not grease. I've a couple of wheels that are very grindy tho. really haven't lasted well over winter so will try see if grease improves this but will try keep away from the pawls. Alternative is spending far too much money on a White Industries free wheel.

[@belcat1971]

RJ, I've read all the comments to try not to repeat anything hoping for an answer. Could you please tell me what the knocking noise is coming from my freewheel? It's a cheap Pheasant brand, came with the bike. I dont feel too confident taking it apart I'll be honest, thanks and speedy recovery to you

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I don't know. Something broken, worn, or loose. If it even is the freewheel. Maybe it's the hub or something else. Noises are tricky.

[@bob-ny6kn]

The lockring/cone of my single speed freewheel won't come off in the manner you demonstrate (… because I hear some grit inside the freewheel and want to clean it out)… I have hammered the dimples (mercilessly) clockwise without success, then counter-clockwise without success. Any advice, other than buying a new one? Thank you for your very informative videos.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+bob Sorry, no.

[@exupakias]

Well done and thanks

[@MorbidThrasher666]

Is the Suntour 80s BMX freewheel the same clockwise direction to open it also?

[@TheKabumcek]

Nice video, very helpful (Y)

[@jorgecholula5319]

And should this work with automotive ball bearing grease?

[@BuffSquadBigBenni]

Hi RJ, can you please answer this: 1. How do you decide between just cleaning and reusing the old bearings, and replacing them with new ones? When should you do either?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Generally, if I am going to go through hassle of taking something apart, I will replace the bearings. Because if I am taking it apart, there was probably a reason. So chances are the bearings are worn. And they are cheap.

[@BuffSquadBigBenni]

Thanks for clarifying :)

[@death2pc]

A thin application film of grease or anti-seize on the threads of both freewheel and hub threads, please. Before install, "flush" races/bearings with oil, wipe excess........, then install.

[@77LeBon]

Super informative!

[@thetruthspeaker5101]

Hey RJ can the assembly lube be used on the ball bearings in place of the oil or is the oil recommended due to the grease being to thick ???

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Oils would be better, but oil won't hold the bearings in place during assembly.

[@dannyhwong781]

If i wanted to just clean the free wheel. Can i just remove it and submerge it in degreaser for like an hour? Would that affect the grease inside where the bearings are?

[@tattoosteveneo]

Have you re-spoked a bmx wheel? Can anyone link me to his video of doing that if he has done one? Thanks for this video

[@francisignatiusdelcastillo116]

hi, I'm actually planning to buy a single speed freewheel sprocket. my question is, can I install it to my fixedgear hub?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I have not done it. But everything I have read says it is okay.

[@john-di1bn]

Hey Rj can I use gear oil for motorcycles as an oil for the freewheel? That's the only thick oil that's available in local shops here.

[@suntzuwarsword1964]

Very cool...thank you

[@alisonhill2210]

Good video, once again. How do you decide between oil and grease on various applications?

[@alisonhill2210]

+Alison Hill Just realised you already answered this!

[@martinferuglio3868]

Señor lo amo, gracias

[@alpacamale2909]

can the cog be replaced by smaller or bigger diameter cogs? I want to change mine for a 22t size because I can't replace the whole thing because my freewheel has a centimeter separation