Originally Posted by
Hatchet
1. The BB has two retaining/lock rings - one on each of the cups – i.e. there wasn’t a fixed cup, which is not what I am used to seeing. Is this normal? Is it an Italian thing?
It's not so much "an Italian thing" as it is a cartridge bottom bracket thing. Having both side adjustable allows you to fine-tune the chain line. Phil bottom brackets have been doing this for decades.
2. The cup on the Drive Side, seems to stick out quite far – see images. Is this normal also?
It's possible the previous owner installed a MTB-type cartridge for some arcane reason. Maybe the PO's triple crank needed more clearance on the drive side?
3 a. Since I have it disassembled, I was thinking of replacing the BB, but don’t want to if it isn’t necessary. What are the criteria used to determine if it should be replaced?
If the spindle doesn't turn freely and smoothly, it should be replaced. Or if you can't get a decent chainline with whatever crank you intend to use you'll want a different cartridge.
3 b. If it is replaced, what are the implications of the drive side cup being stuck out so far? Will a standard replacement BB work?
If you replace the cartridge you can get the size intended for your shell width and crank of choice, and it won't stick out like that.
4. The BB shell measures 168 mm. This is most likely standard/English treading, correct?
I'm sure you mean 68mm, not 168mm. But that said, shell width is an unreliable indicator of shell thread spec. Measure to be sure. An Italian thread shell will be 36mm x 24tpi; an English thread cup will be 1.37" x 24tpi. An English thread cup will drop into an Italian thread shell without engaging the threads. An Italian thread cup will not even begin to thread into an English thread shell.