tricolor hubs question

[AngryScientist]

these jobbers:

just to confirm: OK to run 9-speed cassettes and 130mm spaced rear - right?

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/1ZgAAOSwYIJeJPrU/s-l1200.jpg

[jemdet]

I believe that the uniglide-only 64xx hubs were 126 and the dual uniglide / hyper glide hubs were 130. Should be 130. No problem with a 9V cassette.

[AngryScientist]

I believe that the uniglide-only 64xx hubs were 126 and the dual uniglide / hyper glide hubs were 130. Should be 130. No problem with a 9V cassette.

thanks.

i admit i dont know anything about uniglide/hyperglide! as long as a regular cassette fits, i'm good.

i'm planning on a winter overhaul of these and then build them into a more classic set.

[GregL]

i admit i dont know anything about uniglide/hyperglide! as long as a regular cassette fits, i'm good.
Once again, it's the late, great Sheldon Brown to the rescue. Scroll a quarter of the way down this page for a good description of uniglide, hyperglide, and compatibility with different cassettes:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/k7.html

Greg

[AngryScientist]

perfect, thanks greg!

[Mark McM]

Based on the information on the Shimano Manuals & Technical Documents (https://si.shimano.com/#/) web page (and also on Velobase (http://velobase.com/)), the 64xx series freehubs came in 3 varieties: FH-6400, FH-6401, and FH-6402. HB-6400 & HB-6401 came in both 126mm (7spd only) and 130mm (7spd or 8spd), while HB-6402 was only 130mm. HB-6400 was only Uniglide (7spd and 8spd), while HB-6401 and HB-6402 was Uniglide or Hyperglide*.

Since you can fit 9spd cassettes onto 8spd Hyperglide freehubs, you're unlike if it is a HB-6401 or HB-6402 130mm, but you're out of luck if it is 126mm and/or an HB-6400.

*If it has internal threading for a lockring, and if one of the 9 spline grooves is wider than the others, than it is Hyperglide compatible; if it has no internal lockring threading and all the spline grooves are uniform width it is Uniglide only.

[marsh]

If it's 130 spaced now, you are good. I have done an axle/cassette swap to change from 126 to 130, easy enough to do.

[AngryScientist]

looks like i'll wait to see what comes in the mail.

fortunately, i paid $15 for this set, so it's not a very big gamble.

[jemdet]

Based on the information on the Shimano Manuals & Technical Documents (https://si.shimano.com/#/) web page (and also on Velobase (http://velobase.com/)), the 64xx series freehubs came in 3 varieties: FH-6400, FH-6401, and FH-6402. HB-6400 & HB-6401 came in both 126mm (7spd only) and 130mm (7spd or 8spd), while HB-6402 was only 130mm. HB-6400 was only Uniglide (7spd and 8spd), while HB-6401 and HB-6402 was Uniglide or Hyperglide*.

Since you can fit 9spd cassettes onto 8spd Hyperglide freehubs, you're unlike if it is a HB-6401 or HB-6402 130mm, but you're out of luck if it is 126mm and/or an HB-6400.

*If it has internal threading for a lockring, and if one of the 9 spline grooves is wider than the others, than it is Hyperglide compatible; if it has no internal lockring threading and all the spline grooves are uniform width it is Uniglide only.

Ah, mea culpa. I've never seen a 64xx HG in 126.

Absent a photo of internal threading, I've also always looked for full-length splines as a sign that a hub was HG compatible. It looks like there are two types of UG-only freehubs...

[Mark McM]

If it's 130 spaced now, you are good. I have done an axle/cassette swap to change from 126 to 130, easy enough to do.

While it is cheap and easy to do an axle swap, the problem would be that if it is currently a 126mm axle, then it will have a 7spd freehub body (which won't fit 8/9/10spd cassettes).

[ultraman6970]

Op if you need the rest of the group let me know... my shifters are 8 speed tho.

[rccardr]

Based on the information on the Shimano Manuals & Technical Documents (https://si.shimano.com/#/) web page (and also on Velobase (http://velobase.com/)), the 64xx series freehubs came in 3 varieties: FH-6400, FH-6401, and FH-6402. HB-6400 & HB-6401 came in both 126mm (7spd only) and 130mm (7spd or 8spd), while HB-6402 was only 130mm. HB-6400 was only Uniglide (7spd and 8spd), while HB-6401 and HB-6402 was Uniglide or Hyperglide*.

Since you can fit 9spd cassettes onto 8spd Hyperglide freehubs, you're unlike if it is a HB-6401 or HB-6402 130mm, but you're out of luck if it is 126mm and/or an HB-6400.

*If it has internal threading for a lockring, and if one of the 9 spline grooves is wider than the others, than it is Hyperglide compatible; if it has no internal lockring threading and all the spline grooves are uniform width it is Uniglide only.

Pretty close.
6400 was 7 speed only, shorter freehub body, UG twisted tooth cassettes only, 126 OLD.
6401 (or 6400 1/2, as some called it) was also 7 speed only, also shorter freehub body, also 126 OLD, but accepted either 'modern' HG or older UG cassettes. It is possible to convert either of the firt two iterations to 8-9-10 speed using a longer freehub body, even with the 7speed axle.
6402 was 8 speed with a longer freehub body (note: 12 tooth is the smallest cog that will fit), so 8-9-10 speed cassette compatible, accepted either HG or UG cassettes, 130 OLD.

Am not aware of any tricolor freehub that was 8 speed but only UG. DA did that, but if 640X did too, it would be pretty rare stuff.

[GregL]

Pretty close.
6400 was 7 speed only, shorter freehub body, UG twisted tooth cassettes only, 126 OLD.
6401 (or 6400 1/2, as some called it) was also 7 speed only, also shorter freehub body, also 126 OLD, but accepted either 'modern' HG or older UG cassettes. It is possible to convert either of the firt two iterations to 8-9-10 speed using a longer freehub body, even with the 7speed axle.
6402 was 8 speed with a longer freehub body (note: 12 tooth is the smallest cog that will fit), so 8-9-10 speed cassette compatible, accepted either HG or UG cassettes, 130 OLD.

Am not aware of any tricolor freehub that was 8 speed but only UG. DA did that, but if 640X did too, it would be pretty rare stuff.
Great info, thanks for posting! My minor contribution: 6402 freehubs won't accept an 11-tooth small cog. 12T is the smallest they will take. You can replace a 6402 freehub body with a 6500. I had a 6402 freehub body crack. A friend gave me a spare 6500 freehub body and it worked as a direct replacement without having to change the right cone. Salvaged an otherwise great hub!

Greg

[marsh]

While it is cheap and easy to do an axle swap, the problem would be that if it is currently a 126mm axle, then it will have a 7spd freehub body (which won't fit 8/9/10spd cassettes).

Ahh, I meant freehub, not cassette. Hadn't had my coffee yet. In fact, the hub I did the surgery on is still going strong 10+ years later.

[ColonelJLloyd]

I laced a 32/28 set of these hubs to A23s and they are flat out great. So smooth.

Looks like you snagged a 7400 skewer in there? Nice.

[AngryScientist]

Good news: they are indeed 6402 type hubs, so 130 overall and cassette compatible.

bearings feel smooth, but a little dry. going to overhaul these over the winter.

anything special to note on the OH? Standard loose bearing hub procedures i assume.

[zmudshark]

Shimano still has PDFs of the hub:

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/search/Keyword?name=6402&name_web=

[GregL]

Good news: they are indeed 6402 type hubs, so 130 overall and cassette compatible.

bearings feel smooth, but a little dry. going to overhaul these over the winter.

anything special to note on the OH? Standard loose bearing hub procedures i assume.
6400/6402 hubs are awesome. I had a set that outlasted 3 pairs of rims. I had them from 1997 until last year. I sold them (as part of a wheelset) through the forum. I expect that they are reliably serving their current owner today. Yup, standard cup/cone/loose ball bearings. Use grade 25 stainless ball bearings and they should be super smooth. Take a close look at the freehub body to ensure it doesn't have any cracks.

Greg

[AngryScientist]

Shimano still has PDFs of the hub:

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/search/Keyword?name=6402&name_web=

wow, that's awesome, thanks for that!