OK so the last attempt at fitting gears to the feather went south. Turns out I have a cassette body that has not been made for over 30 years. Works great with single speed cogs but not full on cassettes. I was going to try and modify the 7 speed one I bought but tbh it would have ended in tears no doubt.
There's no getting around it, it's time to say goodbye to the HED rear wheel. It's served me very well and has done hundreds of miles but yeah....
So, I bought a rear wheel. China, from Aliexpress. I had some stipulations. 1. Clincher. I want a 28c tyre not the 25 I have now, and tubulars are becoming impossible to find and ludicrously expensive in 28c. Like, about 150 pounds for a tyre. I already have a Pirelli to match the front so it is on with that. I also wanted rim brakes. The final stipulation was QR. I prefer a solid axle (makes it hard to steal) but to get the cassette off means removing the entire axle and bearings and I am sick of doing it. The tool I have slots into a QR axle, meaning it can stay put.
Right so that is the same depth as the front then (88mm).
I then had to buy a new cassette.
And of course a new shifter as the others I bought were both 7 speed.
And that should be me all sorted for this summer. The rear deralieur is fine and I upgraded that too.
Bike in case you forgot what it looks like.
I am also praying that infection that ruined my entire summer stays F-ed off.
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still on the look out for a mk2 mini burner btw 
The bike felt okay to ride but I will reserve judgment until I take it to the skate park. Then I can decide whether I need to play around with spacers. 
