drewnolan82

Ok, so good news, the headset on my moto is still good, but now I need to check the BB. It feels like it's grinding a lot, so that's not a good sign. It's a japanese made bottom bracket, but I'm pretty sure it's swiss threading. I don't really plan on removing the fixed side, just the left side. What kind of tools will I need, and in your experience, which ones are easiest to work with? Also, I have no idea what size bearings I'll need, nor do I know where to get them. TIA. andrew

clove

Its French thread and I'll bet you'll need a blow torch and a Hozan fixed cup BB tool to get things rolling.

mswantak

If it's a Japanese crankset, it won't be Swiss threading. As far as getting the BB apart, of course it's ideal to have the proper pin wrenches and everything, but in an ideal world we'd have one of our servants working on it instead of us. Get a large pair of channel locks, a rag, a long-shank Phillips screwdriver, and a hammer. Wrap the rag around the lockring so you don't scar it up, get ahold of it with the channel locks and turn it counterclockwise until it comes loose. I'm guessing your bearing cup is the type with four holes in the face; stick the end of the screwdriver in one of the holes at an angle, and tap the handle of the screwdriver with the hammer such that you make the cup turn counterclockwise. You may not even have to do that; they often come loose along with the lockring.

Don't worry about replacing the bearings until you get them and the cups degreased, and have a look. In my experience, cleaning the bearings and cups and repacking with fresh grease will give a satisfactory result. If after you do this, you spin the crank (without the chain connected) and it still doesn't sound right, then move on to replacing the components.

Blue Order

I'm confused now. My 77 Motobecane has a Japanese crankset-- a Takagi Tourney-- and as far as I know, is Swiss threaded. Am I wrong about that Swiss thread?

mswantak

If your '77 has a Takagi crank, it probably wasn't original equipment. Unless I'm mistaken the factory used Suginos. What model is yours again?

Blue Order

It's a Grand Touring, and the Takagi crankset was original-- I bought the bike new, and the Sept. 77 Bicycling Magazine review lists the crankset as Takagi Tourney as a spec'd component well. I'm fairly certain the BB is Sugino though.