Non-Threaded Bottom Bracket Shell
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Non-Threaded Bottom Bracket Shell
I have an frame that I got for 5 dollars that is probably 30+ years old. I have some parts that I can build it up with, but the bottom bracket shell is non-threaded. Where can I get a crankset that will work with a non-threaded bottom bracket shell? Have any of you ever seen this before?
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The only unthreaded bottom bracket system is the American one with the one piece crank. The BB shell would be about 2 inches in diameter
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There are two possibilitis I can think of:
It could be a one-piece (or 'American') crankarm bottom bracket commonly found on kid's bikes, BMXs, and department store bikes.
Or it could be some uncommon obsolete design, such as what (I think) Fisher used in the mid-late eighties.
If it is for a one-piece crank, you can get replacement parts through any LBS, or get another $5 and scavnge the parts you need.
If it is some other crazy concept BB like a Fisher or something from the days of yore... good luck!
It could be a one-piece (or 'American') crankarm bottom bracket commonly found on kid's bikes, BMXs, and department store bikes.
Or it could be some uncommon obsolete design, such as what (I think) Fisher used in the mid-late eighties.
If it is for a one-piece crank, you can get replacement parts through any LBS, or get another $5 and scavnge the parts you need.
If it is some other crazy concept BB like a Fisher or something from the days of yore... good luck!
#4
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More information or a picture would be very helpful. Eg, Viscount made non-threaded BB shells. I'm sure there are others as well. Then there are eccentric BB's and the Ashtabula one-piece cranks already mentioned.
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johnlyons53-- That is not the only bottom bracket that is not threaded at all. There are others as well. Yes you may have a bottom bracket that is typical of BMX bikes where you can get an adapter to except 68mm bottom brackets I have used the one made by FMF. But if you have a typical shell diameter you can look into Mavic bottom brackets https://www.bikepro.com/products/bott...ets/mavic.html they are "floating" So you don't need threads but you need to fine tune them. There are also "press in" bottom brackets by Phil Wood and other actually newer systems. I know that people who strip out their bottom bracket can often find a solution using Mavic bottom brackets, which may be your solution as well. Well I hope that gets you going in the right direction!
Last edited by greyghost_6; 06-08-09 at 05:05 PM.
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YST makes one that will work as well. It's cheap, though.
Klein had their own system, and I don't thing either the Mavic or YST will work.
You need to measure the ID of the BB shell before you go spending any money or getting any more blind BF advice, including mine.
Klein had their own system, and I don't thing either the Mavic or YST will work.
You need to measure the ID of the BB shell before you go spending any money or getting any more blind BF advice, including mine.
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Good luck finding a shop with that chamfering tool.
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I have an frame that I got for 5 dollars that is probably 30+ years old. I have some parts that I can build it up with, but the bottom bracket shell is non-threaded. Where can I get a crankset that will work with a non-threaded bottom bracket shell? Have any of you ever seen this before?
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johnlyons53-- That is not the only bottom bracket that is not threaded at all. There are others as well. Yes you may have a bottom bracket that is typical of BMX bikes where you can get an adapter to except 68mm bottom brackets I have used the one made by FMF. But if you have a typical shell diameter you can look into Mavic bottom brackets https://www.bikepro.com/products/bott...ets/mavic.html they are "floating" So you don't need threads but you need to fine tune them. There are also "press in" bottom brackets by Phil Wood and other actually newer systems. I know that people who strip out their bottom bracket can often find a solution using Mavic bottom brackets, which may be your solution as well. Well I hope that gets you going in the right direction!
Unlike the Mavic cartridge, it didn't need any special preparation to install.
Last edited by JohnDThompson; 06-08-09 at 09:09 PM.
#15
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Is the front fork aluminum? Rough, oversized looking fork? Could be the death fork - a Lambert for sure.
A pic would be helpful.
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Hard to say without a picture. The OP could end all the esoteric speculation quite easily with just one picture.
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OK, I have a few pictures. After taking the pictures, I looked at it more closely, and I was able to twist an adapter of some sort off of the bottom bracket shell. But now I have a new problem. One of the adapters is really tight, and I can't get it off. It doesn't have any tabs for a lockring wrench or anything. And btw, the brand is a Raleigh Rampar R-4
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I love saying that name - Ashtabula. Ashtabula, Ashtabula, Ashtabula. Named after the town in Ohio where they were from originally. And then there's Guacamole. Guacamole...But, alas, there are no bike-parts named Guacamole...
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OK, I have a few pictures. After taking the pictures, I looked at it more closely, and I was able to twist an adapter of some sort off of the bottom bracket shell. But now I have a new problem. One of the adapters is really tight, and I can't get it off. It doesn't have any tabs for a lockring wrench or anything. And btw, the brand is a Raleigh Rampar R-4
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There are solutions if you can't find age appropriate parts.
Just about any machine shop could make a press-fit sleeve with internal threads that would accept some readily available BB. You could drill a hole (or 2) in the underside of the BB shell and weld the press fit sleeve after pressing into place for security. A bit of bondo and no one would know.
Or, you could thread the existing shell for "adaptor" cups that are threaded on the outside and inside.
Or, you could replace the shell with a different one seeing as the frame is lugged.
Or, you could just replace the frame with something that doesn't have all these problems.
Just about any machine shop could make a press-fit sleeve with internal threads that would accept some readily available BB. You could drill a hole (or 2) in the underside of the BB shell and weld the press fit sleeve after pressing into place for security. A bit of bondo and no one would know.
Or, you could thread the existing shell for "adaptor" cups that are threaded on the outside and inside.
Or, you could replace the shell with a different one seeing as the frame is lugged.
Or, you could just replace the frame with something that doesn't have all these problems.
#25
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You need the esoteric Shimano TL-FW20 or its equivalent....Nevermind, see you already got it off.
Last edited by Iowegian; 06-10-09 at 05:28 PM. Reason: lack of reading comprensionhending