Rollfast / Mossberg Super Deluxe 10 speed

[shwsrvcs]

Saw an ad for a very 70's looking 10 speed, the price was right, so I picked it up.
Label on it said Mossberg.

In doing my homework on the bike, I learned that the company had wanted to make more than guns as the 70s began... They already had a history with bike making when the owner was young and I think that led them to buying into that market. They bought out the Snyder plant where Rollfasts were made and began selling bikes under their own moniker. As it turned out, the bike boom of that time began to wind down and they closed shop before the 80's began.

There are not alot of Mossberg bikes out in the world compared to other brands. Most people don't put the name into the hat of "quality" brands, but as I researched I found that many models were just re-branded Rollfast bicycles. This bike, is a sure twin to the Rollfast Super Deluxe 10 speed I found online.

I didn't feel like keeping it 10 speed would do any good at making it desireable for any one these days so I went the route of minimalist design and I think I like what it became...

Here is a little general info and then some before during and after pics.
27" Chocolate customized Rollfast / Mossberg brand single speed
Rigida Superchromix 700C rim with Maillard hub
Shimano 7-speed cassette hub single speed driveline

Before
20160502_233743 by shwsrvcs, on Flickr
20160502_233757 by shwsrvcs, on Flickr
20160502_233820 by shwsrvcs, on Flickr
20160502_234012 by shwsrvcs, on Flickr

 

[shwsrvcs]

during

20160506_180007 by shwsrvcs, on Flickr
20160506_213937 by shwsrvcs, on Flickr
20160507_044611 by shwsrvcs, on Flickr
20160507_092417 by shwsrvcs, on Flickr

 

[shwsrvcs]

After
20160509_091949 by shwsrvcs, on Flickr
20160509_092049 by shwsrvcs, on Flickr

20160509_092116 by shwsrvcs, on Flickr
20160509_092133 by shwsrvcs, on Flickr
20160509_092145 by shwsrvcs, on Flickr

 

[Milkdud]

Could you post how you went about doing the singlespeed conversion. I just bought one of these for $10 and want to do what you did to yours.

 

[shwsrvcs]

Could you post how you went about doing the singlespeed conversion. I just bought one of these for $10 and want to do what you did to yours.

sorry for taking this long, but I just couldn't explain it without doing one.

its a matter of tools. If I had a chain whip I wouldn't remove the freewheel, but since I don't I do.
I'm skipping the axle removal step in this how to, it can be found pretty easily on youtube or here if you don't know the steps.

so the steps to do this freewheel mod are...
1. remove the axle from the rim

2. use a spark plug socket inserted till it is snug (with hammer possibly) and a monkey wrench (channel locks can work too) to turn the freewheel in the same direction it freewheels in (counter clockwise) - it will be hard to begin but once it breaks, it can be removed by hand.

3. use a flat head screwdriver and hammer (or similar set up of tools) to knock the locknut in front of the smallest cog counterclockwise until it can be hand removed and set it aside

4. remove all of the cogs and spacers in the set so that all you have is the empty freewheel.

at this point you can clean it all off and whatever else you may want to do.. paint the cogs etc...

5. insert the spacer that is sized to only fit the smaller part of the freewheel first
6. stack the remaining spacers atop that spacer so that when you put on the smallest cog again, it sits right where it does with all the cogs normally.


I put back the final 2 cogs on my set up because I've found that between those two, i can find a link to size the chain properly that will not result in needing a chain tensioner on a frame with a drop out and no adjustment available, the ratio won't be all that far off between those two and the less moving parts used, the easier maintenance is.

7. place the locknut back on top of the cogs and tighten it down till it is firmly in place.
8. put the freewheel back on the hub and turn it till it stops. (the natural pressure from peddling win make sure it becomes tight enough)

doing this should line up the spacing on the frame and wheel so the chainline will be within close enough alignment for the chain to work without any clicking or trying to come off the sprockets. I've found that if it does however, it's pretty easy to just crank backwards and nudge the chain back on the cogs by hand in a pinch.