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


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


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Catastrophic bicycle failures
Yesterday 11:42 PM
Impromptu bikepacking/touring dilemma..
Yesterday 08:38 PM
I don't usually wear a bike helmet. Does...
Yesterday 08:34 PM
Bmx with 26 inch wheels
Yesterday 05:50 PM
Gila Monster Gran Fondo
Yesterday 05:41 PM
Hatch Chiles Rule!
Yesterday 05:10 PM
Steel road bikes with disc brake mountts
Yesterday 01:11 PM
How Bad Are E-bikes By You?
Yesterday 07:42 AM
Spoke Count Preference
09-30-2026 12:29 PM
Are 26" really dying out?
09-30-2026 12:23 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. Flowrider
21 posts
no avatar 2. Sidewinder
21 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
18 posts
no avatar 4. SPINMAN
12 posts
no avatar 5. meamoantonio
11 posts