My one dollar Ross EuroTour Bike - tell me about the Black Box
05-05-12, 06:58 AM
#1
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My one dollar Ross EuroTour Bike - tell me about the Black Box
Mechanics forum sent me here.
Is this a collectors item or a junker?
If I appear stupid- I confess; I'm not a biker, I'm a Beekeeper.
https://www.solitary-beekeeper.com/
RossEuroTourRx-S7215.jpg
I bought this bike at auction just for the front wheel.
But the tires held air and it rides decent, so I may polish it up.
My question:
The right hand grip has numbers "1, 2, 3"
It has 2 cables going to the black box, which I assume is a transmission of sorts.
But I'm unable to rotate the grip to change numbers.
What might be wrong?
What's inside the Box?
Does it contain lubricant?
Are there adjustments in it?
Thanks a bunch,
Nevin
Is this a collectors item or a junker?
If I appear stupid- I confess; I'm not a biker, I'm a Beekeeper.
https://www.solitary-beekeeper.com/
RossEuroTourRx-S7215.jpg
I bought this bike at auction just for the front wheel.
But the tires held air and it rides decent, so I may polish it up.
My question:
The right hand grip has numbers "1, 2, 3"
It has 2 cables going to the black box, which I assume is a transmission of sorts.
But I'm unable to rotate the grip to change numbers.
What might be wrong?
What's inside the Box?
Does it contain lubricant?
Are there adjustments in it?
Thanks a bunch,
Nevin
Last edited by nhawlman; 05-05-12 at 07:04 AM. Reason: typo
05-05-12, 07:11 AM
#2
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Link didn't work for me
05-05-12, 07:17 AM
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Hello Welcome to the forums. Your link is not working but you Bee site looks interesting. It sould like you have some sort of three speed bike the black box is intriguing.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
05-05-12, 05:09 PM
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The link worked for me,,like 6 hours ago Bianchi Girl. I'd call it some kind of crankset reducing gear(s). Maybe Ross thought the flat handlebar bike buyer were more into a weird gear changer? Your cable housings look a little loose too. Having them anchored to the frame correctly makes, shifting & braking work better. But for a buck, you did all right.Chris
05-05-12, 05:21 PM
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I haven't gotten the link to work I get a 404 error from doteasy.com, it has happened a couple of times today.
I would be interested in seeing pictures of the bike. Ross made some decent bikes and some not so nice ones.
Aaron
I would be interested in seeing pictures of the bike. Ross made some decent bikes and some not so nice ones.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
05-05-12, 05:31 PM
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Death fork? Naaaah!!
Mee too. Bad link.
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(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
05-05-12, 06:20 PM
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Here's the link from mechanics.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-the-Black-Box
https://www.solitary-beekeeper.com/Ro...urRx-S7215.jpg
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-the-Black-Box
https://www.solitary-beekeeper.com/Ro...urRx-S7215.jpg
Last edited by dedhed; 05-05-12 at 06:24 PM.
05-05-12, 06:46 PM
#8
holyrollin'
It appears to be a Dana Corp. bicycle transmission. It installed in the bottom bracket and gave three gear ratios.
05-05-12, 06:52 PM
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...sid=p2992.m753
05-05-12, 08:24 PM
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Yikes - The link is cut in half ! . . .ad the botom half to the top half
Mechanics forum sent me here.
Is this a collectors item or a junker?
If I appear stupid- I confess; I'm not a biker, I'm a Beekeeper.
https://www.solitary-beekeeper.com/
RossEuroTourRx-S7215.jpg
I bought this bike at auction just for the front wheel.
But the tires held air and it rides decent, so I may polish it up.
My question:
The right hand grip has numbers "1, 2, 3"
It has 2 cables going to the black box, which I assume is a transmission of sorts.
But I'm unable to rotate the grip to change numbers.
What might be wrong?
What's inside the Box?
Does it contain lubricant?
Are there adjustments in it?
Thanks a bunch,
Nevin
Is this a collectors item or a junker?
If I appear stupid- I confess; I'm not a biker, I'm a Beekeeper.
https://www.solitary-beekeeper.com/
RossEuroTourRx-S7215.jpg
I bought this bike at auction just for the front wheel.
But the tires held air and it rides decent, so I may polish it up.
My question:
The right hand grip has numbers "1, 2, 3"
It has 2 cables going to the black box, which I assume is a transmission of sorts.
But I'm unable to rotate the grip to change numbers.
What might be wrong?
What's inside the Box?
Does it contain lubricant?
Are there adjustments in it?
Thanks a bunch,
Nevin
05-05-12, 08:36 PM
#12
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It's a Dana three speed transmission. The Dana unit was meant to convert a coaster brake bike to a three speed - it shouldn't be paired with a freewheel/rear derailleur. The chain is far too short for that to work properly.
Depending on your local market the Ross itself is worth between $25 and $75. If you have a really hot market you could ask more but it might take a while to get a buyer.
Depending on your local market the Ross itself is worth between $25 and $75. If you have a really hot market you could ask more but it might take a while to get a buyer.
05-07-12, 06:34 AM
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The Dana was an aftermarket add on. The bike says Eurotour V - so it's safe to assume that the 5 speed freewheel and derailleur have always been on the bike. Originally it would have had a conventional crank and chain wheel.
05-07-12, 07:11 AM
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I agree it's a Dana missing the decals and it most likely has been painted, these things are really heavy so you could lose a few pounds by removing it. If it works I would try it out, though it may not work with a derailleur set up. If the freewheel is a 5spd you may be able to get it all to work using a long single speed chain set up as the early 5spds shifted fine with them, then it would be like a triple up front I imagine.
Glenn
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05-08-12, 05:38 PM
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I'm getting smarter with each post I read - - - I Think !!?
So I have a 5-speed Ross EuroTour,
made in Allentown PA
before some of us were born,
with a 3-x Dana thingy,
which should give me 15 speeds,
if I could work the Dana?
Reply slowly
Nevin
05-08-12, 11:02 PM
#17
holyrollin'
===========================
My guess: The Dana gearbox was a hopeful addition made by the last owner. It may never had been rideable after installation. The chances are that it would throw the chain off at the front if using narrow chain or bind/shift clumsily at the rear derailleur if using wider 1/8" chain.
If I owned that bike, the very unusual Dana transmission would intrigue me to the point that I'd find a way to make it work. The first step I'd take is spraying WD-40 into the shift cables and grip shifter. I'd expect it to act as a mild solvent, not as a lubricant. Then I'd try to work either end of the cable without forcing anything, hoping to free up the controls.
My guess: The Dana gearbox was a hopeful addition made by the last owner. It may never had been rideable after installation. The chances are that it would throw the chain off at the front if using narrow chain or bind/shift clumsily at the rear derailleur if using wider 1/8" chain.
If I owned that bike, the very unusual Dana transmission would intrigue me to the point that I'd find a way to make it work. The first step I'd take is spraying WD-40 into the shift cables and grip shifter. I'd expect it to act as a mild solvent, not as a lubricant. Then I'd try to work either end of the cable without forcing anything, hoping to free up the controls.
05-09-12, 01:13 AM
#18
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Yeah the two problems here are that the Dana was designed for 1/8" chain which is used by single speed bicycles, but the Ross is almost certainly fitted with a narrower chain because it has a derailleur. The other problem is the chain looks too short for this set up.
It is possible that it may be workable though. Have you tried riding it? Putting the derailleur in higher gear (smaller cogs) would put some more slack on the chain and it may be workable.
It is possible that it may be workable though. Have you tried riding it? Putting the derailleur in higher gear (smaller cogs) would put some more slack on the chain and it may be workable.
05-09-12, 04:50 PM
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I have fiddled a little:
Yeah the two problems here are that the Dana was designed for 1/8" chain which is used by single speed bicycles, but the Ross is almost certainly fitted with a narrower chain because it has a derailleur. The other problem is the chain looks too short for this set up.
It is possible that it may be workable though. Have you tried riding it? Putting the derailleur in higher gear (smaller cogs) would put some more slack on the chain and it may be workable.
It is possible that it may be workable though. Have you tried riding it? Putting the derailleur in higher gear (smaller cogs) would put some more slack on the chain and it may be workable.
The cables move very freely.
I sprayed the exposed nylon Cam? liberally with Liquid Wrench.
This nylon part is so tight that I can't turn it.
I put the derailleur in low to ride around my lawn.
The ride was not bad, but the seat has much to be desired, as do the brakes.
My Pointer dog is still laughing
Next rainy day, I put on my hat with the three gears logo, and play Dana mechanic.
Keep tuned for photos.
Nevin
05-10-12, 07:18 AM
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The Dana transmission in the pic I posted also doesn't want to shift either, although every thing else seems to work, I haven't messed with it yet as I don't know what to do with it when/if I fix it, my boat already has an anchor 
Glenn
Glenn
05-22-12, 07:53 AM
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05-22-12, 01:22 PM
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They are greased inside (hopefully some were apparently shipped without grease) you can take the cover off and apply new grease to the gears and it will probably shift better.
05-22-12, 01:31 PM
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Is this the same "Dana" that makes differentials for rear ends on muscle cars??
Chombi
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05-23-12, 09:39 PM
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It's a Dana three speed transmission. The Dana unit was meant to convert a coaster brake bike to a three speed - it shouldn't be paired with a freewheel/rear derailleur. The chain is far too short for that to work properly.
Depending on your local market the Ross itself is worth between $25 and $75. If you have a really hot market you could ask more but it might take a while to get a buyer.
Depending on your local market the Ross itself is worth between $25 and $75. If you have a really hot market you could ask more but it might take a while to get a buyer.
**********?? !!!!!!!!