Originally Posted by Pomel
It seems a bit odd that my bb is offset more on the left side of the frame than the right. Is that normal? I was thinking if anything the chain side would be longer.
Normally the drive side is longer but some fat tube Al frames had chainstays so wide the spindle had to be longer on the NDS side. I have a '93 Trek 7000 MTB that requires the longer end on the non-drive side so the crank arm clears the chainstay.
To make sure I understand correctly even though the spindle is actually 117.5mm I should use a crankset for 113mm with JIS square taper? Do Shimano square taper cranks normally fit JIS?
Your asymmetric spindle is probably the same length on the driveside as a 113 would be. And yes, all square taper Shimano cranks have a JIS taper.
Will a Shimano 6400 series Ultegra square taper fit, and is $65.00 too much for a used one on ebay with no bolts and Avitar rings?
Yes it will fit and yes that's too expensive. You could also use a 105 105X series crank. Check a few bike shops as either crank may be available NOS for no more money and will include the Shimano rings and fixing bolts.
Is it possible to get a 10 speed rear hub on my frame? the rear dropout is 130mm, would a triple fit on the cranks? Should I buy a new groupo from my LBS or just look for used parts? If I am going to buy new parts I am thinking if I can upgrade the bike to a 10 speed 3 ring I should do it now and not have to buy another groupo If I decide 8 speed is not enough. What do you think?
Any 10-speed road hub will fit. A triple may or may not fit the current spindle. You will have to try one to see if the spindle is long enough to assure the chainrings clear the chainstay.
I'm also wondering If it's worth it to put $1,000.00 or more into such an old bike even though the frame looks like new.
It's your money but, personally, I wouldn't. The bb is a proprietary one that is getting increasingly hard and more expensive to find. It was definitely not one of Gary Klein's better ideas. Phil Wood does make replacement bottom bracket spindles at $84 each and has replacement bearings so it's not hopeless, just expensive and rather limiting.
One other factor. Aluminum frames are not lifetime purchases. Klein was bought out by Trek years ago and seem to be on the verge of being eliminated as a brand so your warranty is probably useless by now.