Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Conversion: Downtube Shifter Removal?

So, I have an old "Bianchi" (not sure even if that's what it is....says "Columbus" and is Tange-2, etc.) that I am taking a grinder to and removing all of the loop holds and metal dodads and sand blasting to prime and repaint. First fixie conversion and I got the bike for $10. Super light and will probably look nice if I do it right. Happy with the frame. Esp for $10. But, problem, I can figure out how to get these downtube shifter attachments off?? Any ideas? I mean there's no way that the light and dark metal parts are one (they rattle) so there has to be some way they got them on there. How do I get them off w/ as little grinder as possible?? Pictures attached. 245543245544

Please don't wreck a good road frame with your grinder.

Shifter boss covers...

http://urbanvelo.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/problem_solvers_shifter_boss.jpg

Oh I don't want to if I can afford it. At least not the downtube shifters. I'd keep them if I could. Which it looks like with the comment below, I can. But I don't even know what the frame is. I even tried Bianchi Girl to ID it, and no go. No one has anything even close (Bianchi wise). And I already have a good road frame that I actually know what it is. And my size. So, meh. We'll see what happens.

I wouldn't spend that much time or money on a frame with that geometry and stamped dropouts. Just buy a new rear wheel.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/801866-Strange-Bianchi-Help-ID

From the looks of the bike, looks like the only time you'd spend on the bike is riding it ? If it's the same bike in the other thread, I'll give you $ 10 for it just to save the frame from the grinder.

I wouldn't spend that much time or money on a frame with that geometry and stamped dropouts. Just buy a new rear wheel.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/801866-Strange-Bianchi-Help-ID


The work on it is for entertainment and to get the rust and bad paint off. I also have all the equipment to do what I want (save the new paint). Just for fun really. But, I would like to understand your geometry comment. What geometry would you feel would be a better choice for a fixed or single speed?? And why? A link to a post is good enough of an answer. I don't expect you to type out EVERYTHING if you don't want. Thank you sir!

If I understand you correctly, you're trying to remove some of the shifter bits left behind when you removed the shifters. This can be done with a small screwdriver used as a pry bar.

The grinder, BTW, is a bad idea, as even the heavy tubing on that frame is still fairly thin - wall thickness in the neighborhood of one millimeter. It's easy to make a pretty significant nick with an angle grinder. At the very least, I'd save the grinder for the "rough" part of the job and finish with hand files.

Shifter boss covers...

http://urbanvelo.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/problem_solvers_shifter_boss.jpg

They're less than $22 shipped and solve the problem. Don't be cruel.

If I understand you correctly, you're trying to remove some of the shifter bits left behind when you removed the shifters. This can be done with a small screwdriver used as a pry bar.


Good way to trash your frame.

Good way to trash your frame.

I think he's referring to the spacer-things that are crescent-shaped to butt up against the downtube. Could be wrong.

They're less than $22 shipped and solve the problem. Don't be cruel.


That's the way to go. I agree. So, I will probably do that to save it if I ever want to make it multi-speed again.

Good way to trash your frame.

Yeah, I've only been doing it that way for thirty years, so doubtless you've got it figured out better than I do.

Just do it!

There's "builders" and there's "guys who just want to ride". The two groups tend not to understand one another.

Yeah, I've only been doing it that way for thirty years, so doubtless you've got it figured out better than I do.


Jesus man, how's menopause treating you? You don't have to be a dick about being misunderstood by some kid.

Yeah, I've only been doing it that way for thirty years, so doubtless you've got it figured out better than I do.

Just build motorcycles (and some bikes) do some welding and other metalwork and know that prying off a braze-on can mar/weaken a tube, seen the underlying tube come off along with the braze on... (nothing beats a hole in your tube) It is like trying to put out a forest fire with a fork. I'd personally leave it... But if it "had" to come off, I'd hit it with heat or cut it off, hit it with a dremel and then hand file it... I'm assumin that the OP doesn't have much experience and would "heavy-hand" it.

Read it again. I'm not telling him to pry off the braze-on. I'm telling him to pry off the shifter parts that were left behind when he removed the shifters.

Jesus man, how's menopause treating you? You don't have to be a dick about being misunderstood by some kid.

But you have to be a dick about me being a dick? I look forward to you being a grumpy middle-aged man so I can make fun of you.

Already am.

Bring it on.

Ha ha, you're a grumpy middle-aged man.

Sorry, that's all I've got.