wild vagabond

specialized expedition bottom bracket - servicing?

I have a venerable Specialized Expedition - produced about 1984, with mostly original parts. I would like to repack the bottom bracket, but I cannot find anyone who has a tool to dismantle this bracket. It turns easily, and does not make noise - yet I wonder how the lube is doing (is it drying out?) after all these years.

I believe it is a Specialized bb. Certainly, it is the original. I talked to a few mechanics and they say "don't have a tool for that thing."

Also, is there anything peculiar about dismantling this thing, provided you can recommend a tool?

Thanks, rob in Flagstaff, AZ

Gonzo Bob

Most BB's from that era need a lock ring spanner and a pin spanner to disassemble. I can't believe an LBS would not have those tools. Were the mechanics you talked to working at your LBS?

I suppose your BB could be one of those funky generator BB's. More info about what type it is and a pic would certainly help.

davidad

https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg...tem_id=PA-HCW5
https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg...tem_id=PA-HCW4
Once you open it up and clean and grease it make sure that there is a little drag in the final adjustment. This is bearing preload and is necessary.

wild vagabond

Thanks Gonzo Bob, I will include a photo - hope this helps. You can see that the standard bb tools are only a little bit of help. That is, they can remove the outer ring. Then what? The LBS mechanic claimed to love to work on old touring bikes, yet could offer no help.

CACycling

Not sure what the proper tool is to fit those splines but you could probably get by with a pair of needle-nose pliers or maybe even a straight-blade screwdriver. You shouldn't have to use a lot of torque to remove (I know, famous last words) and will just be holding it still when tightening the lock ring on installation.

wild vagabond

Yes, I pounded on the splines with a coal chisel and a hammer - more than seemed reasonable. the bb did not budge and I felt I could not do more without risking destruction of the unit. This, of course, was after the outer lock ring was removed. Yikes. I contacted Specialized in Salt Lake (make that Smog Lake) and they said "leave it alone because you may have problems with replacement parts." Yikes.

cycle_maven

So, you can get the lockring off, but the adjustable cup is stuck? Then I'd ride it until it gets too crunchy to ride, and replace it with a cartridge BB at that point. It's a standard English-threaded bottom bracket. A Shimano UN54 would be peachy. If you weren't limited by trying to preserve the parts, then you could use all kinds of persuasion (pipe wrench comes to mind). The fixed cup will be a monster to remove; it has left-hand threads. I've had much success with Sheldon Brown's method for the fixed cup.

Garthr

Is this the BB in question?



https://velobase.com/ViewSingleCompon...m=119&AbsPos=1

See this thread .... https://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group...r/message/2811


Being that you're in N. Arizona, are you in Flagstaff? If so, since Cosmic Cycles was a Specialized dealer back then , they may still have the correct tool for you to use. As included in the thread.... this BB is quite rare and valuable. It uses cartridge bearings, easy to replace if needed, but yours are likely fine. You just need the correct tool. One person mentions a Park adjustable pin spanner https://www.parktool.com/products/det...=25&item=SPA-6, but if yours are really stuck you'll need a proper tool. There's got to be some of these tools around, just finding them is going to be tricky.

I found this thread for the ST BB tool .https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/238780-unusual-suntour-bottom-bracket.html

BTW ... this thread may get more replies in the Classic & Vintage forum.

Garthr

I emailed Cosmic Cycles in Flagstaff about the tool for this BB, and they indeed have it to use, but not buy..... as it is rare indeed.

wesmamyke

Those wrenches have been showing up on ebay pretty regularly from one seller. He seems to have tons of old Suntour stuff, including tools.

wild vagabond

Thanks Garthr! And, thanks Wesmamyke! I have seen tools that look like they might work, so there is potential confusion about which tool. Do you have a tool number/part number of what to look for? More simply, I will ride on over to Cosmic Cycles and borrow their tool, or have them inspect this venerable BB. Here' the most recent longer ride of the VM (Venerable Monster, the Specialized Expedition):
https://wildernessvagabond.com/bikeutah09/bikeutah09.htm
May your wheels turn freely, Rob of the WV

Garthr

It's called the Suntour Sealed Bearing BB Wrench. Part # ST-TA230
Post #7 in this thread shows the tool. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=238780

I'm sure Cosmic will be able to help you out.

-cheers