I have a 1973 Gitane TDF that I restored and am having problems with the bottom bracket. I can tighten the cup enough to eliminate the "horizontal" play, but it still will rock back and forth (vertically) a tiny bit, if I tighten it where this stops I can tell it is dragging on the bearings. Can I assume the bottom bracket is shot? would it indicate bad cups, bad spindle or a combination of both (I have replaced the bearings)?

It is a stronglight BB and I think the spindle is 118 mm. Velo Orange has french BBs but their spindle size that is close is 116 or 122 would either of these be OK? They are also JIS taper, I am using a stronglight crankset, will these match up?

Any tips on what tool and technique for removing fixed cup?

Thanks

Which Stronglight crankset? Early ones like the Mod93 if original to the bike are ISO, recent models are often JIS.

If you replace ISO with a JIS, you have a couple of issues in measurement. Your spindle is offset +2mm to the drive side. The VO is not. But JIS gives you a wider chainline. So, take (118.5mm +2mm) less 6mm (ISO-JIS diff) = 114.5mm. I'd go with the 116mm.

I'm actually running a Mod104 on a 118mm JIS Shimano (English thread frame), and my chainline is just a little wide, but not much.

Look for Sheldon Brown's fixed cup removal tool. I've used it. Maybe $6? worth of bolt, nut and washers from the hardware store. Works like a charm.

I'm having a hard time imagining what your describing as horizontal and vertical play, do you mean play when the cranks are in a vertical position (parrallel to the seattube) without play in the horizontal position? In that case it is likely that your BB is toast and will need replacment, if the drag in the final adjustment without play is not too much I would just keep using it til It goes, I have a 1970 tdf and the bottom bracket isn't in great shape but I keep using it, someday I'll get the VO bb.

The Velo Orange BB will not work for you because the taper is JIS. Your French crank requires an ISO taper. I see French threaded cups and 118mm spindles on eBay all the time. It's a common size, since all of the old French doubles used it. There's a used French threaded Mavic cartridge BB on eBay right now.

As for removing the fixed cup.....

The problem is its French!

What size bearings did you use, and how many of them?

-Kurt

An ISO crank on a JIS spindle is a 'B' fit. The ISO crank will sit ~4.5mm further out on a JIS spindle. Phil makes ISO spindles and their cups are seperate from the BB so french threaded rings can be mated for a perfect setup. They are the only mfg that I know of that currently makes them.