Classic & Vintage - Trek 560 Pro Spindle Length Question

I have a 1986 or 1987 Trek 560 Pro:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZNDGkGYZsFI/SyW52L--y7I/AAAAAAAAARU/fI950ODXEIM/s800/Trek%2056%20Pro%209-25-2009%20014.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZNDGkGYZsFI/SyW350cyVPI/AAAAAAAAAQg/B4ZZTHzNf64/s800/Trek%2056%20Pro%209-25-2009%20011.jpg

It seems the bottom bracket is in need of service. While trying to remove the LHS crank arm, the threads were stripped. I have a gear-puller I can use to remove the crank arm, and once it is off I'd like to replace the BB with a modern cartridge. I've bought a replacement crankset off eBay, minus the spindle/BB parts, and since my mechanic friend will be wrenching all of this for me, I'd like to make it as easy as possible by showing up at his place with the replacement crankset and BB cartridge.

I have looked at Sheldon Brown's BB database, and I am pretty sure the spindle on this would be 113 mm long. But I can't measure it until I've disassembled everything, and I don't have the tools (outside of the gear puller).

Would anyone happen to know if the spindle is likely to be 113 mm? I hate to order/buy something without knowing. Thanks in advance.

Depends on what crank you bought on ebay. Is it a double chain ring? Square taper, Octalink? I have a 1985 Trek 660 and I put a Shimano 600 crank on it with a Shimano UN-54 sealed cartridge BB and it has a 113mm spindle.
I wasn't sure what spindle length would give enough clearance between the small chain ring and the chain stay. I got a 110mm from the LBS and not enough clearance. No problem. I just drove the 4 miles and exchanged it for a 113mm.

You say you want to order it. If you mean online DON'T. I paid $20 for the BB at the LBS. Another LBS wanted $40 so it pays to shop locally but get the best price, no shipping and an easy exchange if needed. UN-54's are as common as Budweiser. Every store has it. I like Zippy and my 660 is the same color as your 560. Nice.

Thanks so much for the quick reply.

I got a vintage Shimano 105 double (square taper). I was not negative on reusing the Biopace chainwheels, and still may do so, though the set I scored comes with chainwheels.

Regarding the ordering, I will check prices. I was planning to visit a couple of LBS later this week.

Regarding Zippy, I was a Nat'l Lampoon subscriber back in the day.

Regarding the Trek, I like the bike. Got it for $400 off CL.

116mm is for SIS 6 speed and 113mm for SIS 7 speed. I think yours is a 1987, if the crank is original to the bike then it should be 116mm.

I've got a 760 pro series in the same color with the addition of purple! I'm not sure on the BB length as i repacked the Specialized loose ball on mine and that thing will spin for days, so smooth and lighter than the UN-54.

I am planning on putting in Octalink Ultegra cranks to finish my build, so I'll see what size is needed when I get there. Is that a 53cm frame?

Is that a 53cm frame?

Yes, it is.

abarth, I agree with you that the bike seems to be a 1987. The serial number is in the range, and the paint & decals match the description found here for 1987 (http://www.vintage-trek.com/model_numbers1.htm).

The 1987 Trek catalog says the bike came with Shimano 105 components and the Biopace chainwheels, which you can see it has, but one previous owner seems to have replaced the bottom bracket with a Hatta BB.

116mm is for SIS 6 speed and 113mm for SIS 7 speed. I think yours is a 1987, if the crank is original to the bike then it should be 116mm.

Looking around (http://harriscyclery.net/product/shimano-un54-bottom-bracket-1203.htm), it seems the UN54 comes in 110mm, 113mm, 115mm, and 118mm lengths. The bike has six gears on the freewheel.

May I ask why the spindle would be shorter for 7 speed?

I think that on that machine you will Ok for chain-line with anything from 113 to 115mm. My '85 560 is using a Cyclone BB-400 which I think is 113.5mm. The drive train is a Cyclone double crank-set with 53-42 rings pulling on a Shimanao FW seeries 13-28 6 speed freewheel � friction shifted. Works very well. If I were you, I'd just pull the spindle, measure it, check the cups and it hey were OK order antother Sspindle the same lenghth and repack the whole deal with good grease and the highest grade of loose bearings you can get. Dura-Ace loose balls come in bagged sets.