Wanting to see what the rough spot problem is on a unused old Regina "extra" single speed freewheel, I dis-assembled it and found a strange bearing configuration. Each ball bearing is alternated with a 4-5mm long round piece of metal, layed in lengthwise in the race. The metal lengths are not consistent. This alternating arrangement goes all the way around the races on both sides of the cog, and with a couple extra balls to confuse even further. I doubt that this freewheel has ever ben dis-assembled. The only reason I can figure that they did this bearing method was to save money on balls? Has anyone ever run across a similar set-up? Any thoughts as to why this is so seemingly compromisingly engineered? I think I'll put it back together with all balls.
Dennis Young
Hotaka, Japan