conversion just became more complicated
06-17-07, 11:12 AM
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conversion just became more complicated
I was planning on building up a FG conversion w/ my kid brother (who does not know anything about bikes). He found a 70s/80s Puch in good condition and I was going to help him paint the frame this weekend when I came home for fathers day. I told him to strip off all the wires and cable and remove the pedals, etc. I arrive at my parents houe last night and see that my brother completely stripped the bike down to its frame. Apparently he used vice grips to remove the headset and the bottom bracket (which still has one crank arm stuck to it) There are ball bearings and radom parts scattered all over the garage floor.
So it goes without saying that this little project just became more complicated. I have a couple of questions. I need to determine what type of bottom bracket the bike uses and what type of headset it takes. How does one go about finding out thee things? Second, would he have damaged anything I need to look for by ripping off the BB and headset w/ a pair of vice grips?
So it goes without saying that this little project just became more complicated. I have a couple of questions. I need to determine what type of bottom bracket the bike uses and what type of headset it takes. How does one go about finding out thee things? Second, would he have damaged anything I need to look for by ripping off the BB and headset w/ a pair of vice grips?
06-17-07, 11:15 AM
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He could have easily rounded off both those components. I'm almost positive that Puch's are all standard as far as threading/headset size goes.
06-17-07, 11:16 AM
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yikes.
maybe replacing it with a modern bb and headset was just meant to be...
maybe replacing it with a modern bb and headset was just meant to be...
06-17-07, 11:31 AM
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How old is your brother???
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06-17-07, 11:39 AM
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if i were you id try to start the project with a brother that was in better shape to begin with
no point in polishing a turd
no point in polishing a turd
06-17-07, 01:33 PM
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Originally Posted by doofo
if i were you id try to start the project with a brother that was in better shape to begin with
no point in polishing a turd
no point in polishing a turd
If the bearing surfaces of the headset are still good, just press it back in using a DIY press or getting your LBS to do it. Same with the BB. Get the crank off with a crank puller. There's not really much to these components, and once they're laid out in front of you, it should all make sense.
Good luck with the project, and good on you for helping out your bro.
06-17-07, 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by moki
A Puch may not be a Kalavinka, but it isn't a turd. I know plenty of really good riders on middle of the road conversions.
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06-17-07, 07:02 PM
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I'm glad I ask questions a billion times before I even take the bottle cage off.
06-18-07, 09:40 AM
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So how do I actually determine what type of bottom bracket this frame takes? It is a Puch Meteor Flux 2nd series
06-18-07, 10:35 AM
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Step 1: Figure out which way the cups thread in. If they both go in with a right-hand thread (the way your mayonnaisse jar screws on) it's either French or Italian, go to step 1a. If one goes in with a left-hand thread (probably the fixed cup, on the right side of the bike), it's either English or Swiss (probably English).
Step 1a: Measure the BB shell. If it's 70mm, it's Italian. If it's 68mm, it's French.
Step 2: Go to a bike shop and buy the appropriate bottom bracket. BRING THE FRAME WITH YOU, and have them install it. If they say the threads are fuxxored (which I would smack your brother for if I were you), you'll be best off getting a YST threadless BB. They are pretty slick, and work relatively well.
Step 1a: Measure the BB shell. If it's 70mm, it's Italian. If it's 68mm, it's French.
Step 2: Go to a bike shop and buy the appropriate bottom bracket. BRING THE FRAME WITH YOU, and have them install it. If they say the threads are fuxxored (which I would smack your brother for if I were you), you'll be best off getting a YST threadless BB. They are pretty slick, and work relatively well.
