Larry, with the recommended 6 speed freewheel there should be enough clearance between the inner washer and the end or the freewheel, unless you needed to use these spacers when you fitted the freewheel unit:
The Magic Pie is supplied with a couple of spacer shims (narrow washers) tie wrapped to the axle:
These should only be used if there is not enough clearance between the freewheel and the hub without them.
If the freewheel binds against the hub, fitting a single shim will hopefully be enough to cure the problem.
The shim is easily fitted by simply placing it on the threaded boss on the hub before the freewheel is screwed on.
If one shim doesn't provide enough clearance, it might be wise to consider using a different freewheel instead of additional shims.
Fitting more shims will further reduce the amount of thread available for fixing the freewheel, making it more prone to stripping the soft aluminium threads on the hub under heavy pedal pressure.
Here is a picture of a
7 speed freewheel fitted to my Pie, it does not touch the washer, but it is much too close to the frame:
If this inner washer is not fitted you can damage the frame simply by tightening the axle nuts, as you will be trying to force the axle through the drop-out
(by using it as a blunt wedge), which will spread the drop-out allowing the axle to spin.
It could be even worse if you have aluminium drop-outs, as these are very brittle and can easily crack and break off completely!
You should refit the inner axle washer and if necessary find a different freewheel that fits better.
Alan
