Bicycle Mechanics - Campy Super Record 11 sp cups question

First off, pardon my ignorance. I can honestly admit I have never assembled a bike, so I am trying to wing it here.

I just got a new frame. While trying to put the bottom bracket cups, I noticed they are labeled "right side" and "left side". I take it right side is the drive side correct? To my surprise, this things screws in counter clock wise. I put in the drive side one (the one with the clip) by hand almost 80% of the way. I tried to do the same with the left or non-drive side and could not get it to even start to screw in despite trying both directions. Am I missing the obvious here? Suggestions?

Your first build ever is with 11-speed Super Record? I admire your guts.

Yes, the "right side" is the drive side and English threaded (nearly every frame these days) bottom brackets are threaded left-handed on the drive side. The non-drive side will have the usual right-hand threads.

If the non-drive side cup won't thread in easily there is something wrong with either the cup or the bottom bracket shell. I seriously recommend you take both to a good bike shop and let them determine what the problem is.

Assuming you got a new component group and the various items came with instruction booklets, I highly recommend you read them in detail before installing anything. This is a bad time to learn by trial and error and this stuff is too expensive to wing it.

Winging it to install a Super Record 11-speed component just sounds plain wrong.
Your frame has a British/ISO-threaded (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html#threading) BB. That's why the drive side (right side) cup has a left-handed thread.
The non-drive side (left side) cup is going to have a normal right-handed thread.
Outboard bottom bracket cups are notorious for requiring a properly faced BB shell; make sure the BB shell on your frame is chased/faced by someone competent.
I'll recommend that you get an experienced friend show you the ropes before you go further.

The most common mistakes with Campy UT cups is failing to remove the paint from the faces of the BB shell, failing to be sure the the BB faces are square to the threads and failing to measure the exact BB shell width.

Rather than facing a frame that does not need it, I carefully remove the paint from the faces, screw each cup in until it contacts a .010 inch feeler gage, then use .008-.012 inch gages to check for high or low areas.

The width of the shell must be in the 67.2-68.8mm range or the bearing preload will not be correct.

I discourage the use of the loctite method. If loctite is used, the factory applied thread locking material should be removed. You should never have two products trying to perform the same function. If the factory thread locker is not removed (and perhaps even if it is), hand tightening the cups is not possible. I always grease the BB shell threads and torque the cups to 35Nm, rather than use loctite. A BB tool like the Park BBT-19 is required.

Um, what are you going to do about installing the 11 speed chain? This isn't something that should be done with a "regular" chain tool.

Um, what are you going to do about installing the 11 speed chain? This isn't something that should be done with a "regular" chain tool.

The Campy tool is the only one that will flare the right side of the pin properly, but some people have made their own flaring tool by removing the U-shaped guide from an older chain tool and grinding the pin to a 90 degree point.

The Campy tool is the only one that will flare the right side of the pin properly, but some people have made their own flaring tool by removing the U-shaped guide from an older chain tool and grinding the pin to a 90 degree point.

I have little doubt that this can be done as we make a lot of tools in our shop (different industry) but, I'd rather not chance my Campy chain or my jewels to a makeshift tool.

Everyone:

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips. Amazing the amount of assumptions many make. Just because one is having some minor difficulties with a tool or task the first time. Seriously..... By the way, I do have an 11 speed Campy tool!!

DaveSSS:

Thanks again for the help. Very welcomed and appreciated.

Everyone:

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips. Amazing the amount of assumptions many make. Just because one is having some minor difficulties with a tool or task the first time.
It wasn't an assumption. You explicitly said in your OP: "I can honestly admit I have never assembled a bike, so I am trying to wing it here." Not exactly a confidence-inspiring statement. ;)

Not having built an entire bike up in the past does not imply I don't know anything about bike parts, maintenance, and repairs. It also does not imply I don't have all or some of the tools required.

Thanks anyway.

First off, pardon my ignorance. I can honestly admit I have never assembled a bike, so I am trying to wing it here.

I just got a new frame. While trying to put the bottom bracket cups, I noticed they are labeled "right side" and "left side". I take it right side is the drive side correct? To my surprise, this things screws in counter clock wise. I put in the drive side one (the one with the clip) by hand almost 80% of the way. I tried to do the same with the left or non-drive side and could not get it to even start to screw in despite trying both directions. Am I missing the obvious here? Suggestions?

Yeah, not even reading the install instructions on an expensive new groupset, FTW. Well the good news is you didn't try to force it. Should you even be installing stuff on your own bike if you don't know which way the bb goes in...?

Everyone:

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips. Amazing the amount of assumptions many make. Just because one is having some minor difficulties with a tool or task the first time. Seriously..... By the way, I do have an 11 speed Campy tool!!

DaveSSS:

Thanks again for the help. Very welcomed and appreciated.

My comment on the Campy chain tool wasn't a blind assumption considering the number of bike shops that don't even own one. That and the number of "do it yourself" customers that I have in my industry who attempt repairs without the correct tools led me to my statement.

My bad.

That and the number of "do it yourself" customers that I have in my industry who attempt repairs without the correct tools led me to my statement.

But they do make for entertaining threads at leasts ;)

Here's my favorite: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=303648
This one has potential: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=520217