Bicycle Mechanics - DIY Stronglight 49D crank remover

I have a Stronglight 49D crankset on my Motobecane and i'm trying to come up with a solution to remove them without the EXPENSIVE special tool.
I've come up with an idea to remove them and just wanted to get some opinions on the idea.
If i clamp a standard crank onto the Stronglight cank arm and use the standard puller with an extension so that it reaches through both crank arms it should work right? I haven't heard of this solution before but in my mind i can't see why it wouldn't work or maybe i'm just having a stupid moment! I'm just waiting on getting a socket so that i can remove the bolts and then i'm going to try this idea.
Anyway what do you guys think?
I'm sure some people will say to buy the proper tool but they are expensive and i haven't much money at the moment.

Oh my other idea is to weld a metal stronglight dust cover onto a standard crank puller to make the tool but i can't weld and don't know anybody who can.

take it to the LBS if they invested in that tool you won't have to.
pay the modest service charge,
then put another crank on .. instead.
One that you do have the needed service tools for ...


http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/tools/ja-stein-crank-puller-for-classic-stronglight-or-ta-cranks.html

I don't like your idea. I think the spiders will have too much flex for it to work.

I agree. if you don't want to reuse the crank have ashop remove it and ebay for the cost of labor. if you want to reuse the crank again just go ahead and buy the tool.

PS I think I recall seeing self extractors to fit these somewhere. Milwaukee? Bike tools etc, loose screws? I just can't recall

I think it's fine. You just need to make sure that when you clamp the crankarm to the crank, it's a very tight and immobilizing fit, and the holes need to line up. Add a lot of duct tape. Perhaps you ruin the crank, but the alternative everyone is mentioning ends up with you getting new cranks anyway, so as long as your eyes are wide open about the possibility of losing the crank, then hey, it's your bike.

I'd screw the outside of the crank puller into the crank before clamping it to the Strongarm crank, btw. That way you don't mess with the threading while the two are attached.

(This thread might get better responses in the Classic/Vintage forum).

Well i really like the cranks so i'll be keeping them.
I just need to remove the cranks so that i can grease the BB bearings.
Thanks for the advice!

check ebay or other online sites to find the right tool you are looking for.

Either find a shop that has the correct tool an pay them $10 to remove the crank or buy the tool so you'll be able to service your BB in the future. Bike Tools Etc had it last time I looked. That's a valuable crank. Check what they're going for on eBay. I've been looking for one one myself , but I won't buy one with gouges made by a shadetree bike mechanic.

Either find a shop that has the correct tool an pay them $10 to remove the crank or buy the tool so you'll be able to service your BB in the future. Bike Tools Etc had it last time I looked. That's a valuable crank. Check what they're going for on eBay. I've been looking for one one myself , but I won't buy one with gouges made by a shadetree bike mechanic.

You are aware that you can ruin cranks with the correct tool as well aren't you?
Mine are not for sale and they certainly won't have gouges in them when i'm finished.

I ended up buying the proper tool.
I discovered my local bike shop sells new versions of a crank puller with two threads.
One standard and one for the 49D size for 23 euros.

If you can't find a shop with the proper tool, try a pickle fork. Cover the prongs with an old inner tube to minimize damage to the crank and frame:
http://www.thepartsbin.com/cartools/images/otc-7266.jpg

As others have mentioned, the crank has some value on the vintage market, so be careful with it.