Originally Posted by BIG DADDY
I was gonna change the crank out to a sport crank off of a Motobecane Takagi. I believe they will be bolt on? I plan to bump the rear up to a 7 or 8 speed and change the rear der. if it wont swing far enough to compensate for the gears. The bike is in good condition. Frame looks great, some of the components need some work. The shifters are on the neck. I plan to move those to the bars some how. Possibly bar end shifters? I dont plan on going crazy with a total 105 set-up, just a little upgrading. I havent got into the BB that is where my concern is. I have heard these are a dream to deal with.
The frame width may not allow you to install a 7 or 8 speed, neither the wheel if the six you have now is a freewheel. The crank may fit alright but when changing the BB, beware of specific threads (French thread, different caliber and way/right-left than today's). My question is: what is wrong with the current components ? And you can still find original components if simply worned.
I have a 1978 French racer that I recently overhauled with new BB, crank and rear wheel. I bought a BB from Harris Cyclery in MA
www.sheldonbrown.com
found a Sugino crank and a rear tubular wheel with freewheel in good condition on eBay, both for less than $70. Harris had the crank too.
Regarding the speeds, I don't know what kind of ride you do but I always found that I use two of the sprockets (17 and 18) and occasionally the 22, I also found that I rarely use the large crank ring, so before you upgrade you may want to wonder why first.
Let me know if you need help sourcing French components, I have found loads of sources along the way..
