Originally Posted by
Ross200
Traditional 3 piece BB slides right by-most likely what came out. One can remove the offending screw/bolt and cable guide, install cartridge BB and re install said cable guide and securing fastener. Power tools and threads can be a bad mix on this task.
Originally Posted by
Retro Grouch
I'm thinking that bike pre-dates cartridge bottom brackets so the separate spindle would miss that fastener. It's probably part of the under the bottom bracket cable guide. If It was my bike I'd see if I could pinch those two little ears together and push the BB guide out. Then I'd cut off the ears and hold the cable guide in place with a dab of 3M Badge and Trim cement (AutoZone has it). Now you can use a semi-modern bottom bracket.
Even with the screw backed out (as pictured), those two 'ears' block the insertion of a cartridge BB.
Pinching the ears together, that's an idea, maybe flexing them back and forth enough will just break them off, and then as you say, just cement the cable guide in place, it's not that critical of a part.
Or should I look for an old 3-piece caged-bearing BB with a narrower spindle?