Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Vitesse Signal Giveaway's Winner Announced


Freewheel without a clutch
#1
What? You might say...

I hope someone can help me with an odd request. I'm planning on building a robot and want to build treads from old bicycles. I've spent a couple days searching for my answer but not knowing all the bike part nomenclature I'm afraid I don't know the words I'm looking for either.

Is there a way to modify a freewheel sprocket so that the ratchet doesn't work and the sprocket can move freely both forwards and backwards?

I got a couple kids bikes for a few bucks at goodwill and have realized that I probably can't do what I'm asking with those thick hubs unless someone has an idea about that.

Thanks!
  Reply
#2
Remove the pawls
  Reply
#3
Thank you sir! "Pawls" was the exact word that I needed. I was able to google that, see a picture, and realize the two chunks of metal I thought were merely spacers were the pawls. Thanks!
  Reply
#4
You're welcome. You also need to make sure you actually have a freewheel rather than cassette, and that the ring with the two holes in it that you need to remove (hammer and small punch or old screwdriver) comes off clockwise (reverse thread).
  Reply


Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Cycling is Anti-Aging, But There's a Cat...
Yesterday 07:01 PM
Wishing you an Awesome 2025 & many fun r...
Yesterday 08:53 AM
What's your most favourite track in your...
12-31-2024 06:09 PM
Energy gels for cycling
12-31-2024 05:56 PM
Newbie from , Texas
12-31-2024 09:44 AM
How many bikes do you have now?
12-31-2024 02:28 AM
What are the best maintenance practices ...
12-30-2024 10:55 PM
Best Phone Mount and Best Headlight
12-30-2024 10:26 PM
Operation of Santa Monica Ebike
12-30-2024 05:01 PM
Pogačar's 2024 dominance
12-29-2024 04:14 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
22 posts
no avatar 2. Alexjohnson
19 posts
no avatar 3. Flowrider
10 posts
no avatar 4. enkei
10 posts
no avatar 5. JeffAP
7 posts