francoeurdavid

Me and my friend are working on an old campagnolo bike. According to the stickers on it (hahaha), we assumed it was a Campagnolo Valentino Torpado. We are building a fixie from it and I have a question about the bottom bracket. It must be replaced because it is really rusty.

I want to know what to look for to buy a BB bracket what will fit on the bike. I want to know the exact diameter or type of the BB installed on these bikes because I don't trust my measurements . Besides the diameter what else do I have to look for. It wasn't a square-taper BB type neither and I would like to use one of these, as I think it is easier to maintain and install.

Thanks, a lot, any information regarding this bike will be appreciated.

Here is a pic of the bike, correct me if this isn't the good model :

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4ejxjhimr...%2026%2053.jpg

TampaRaleigh

I can almost hear that poor bike crying.

My suggestion would be to sell that to someone who appreciates C&V and you'll likely make enough money to buy a brand new fixie, a stocking cap, and a pair of generic Wayfarers.

cyclotoine

That thing look mint and I am cringe at the thought that you may have already destroyed any value of the crank and bb by marring them with inappropriate tools. STOP! take appropriate photos and consider selling it someone who will ride it in it's original form. It is not a top of the line model, but it is from the 1960s and sufficiently uncommon and in good condition.

AerobaticDreams

Not to be mean to your interests, but turning that bike into a fixie is rather like finding a vintage Ferrari and throwing a Honda V-Tec into it so you can run with the Ricers....

I suggest learning to ride what you have and figuring out what all the gears are for, or selling it off to get something newer you don't have to build...and saving a valuable C & V bicycle.

onespeedbiker

This looks like the same trolling that is happening on C&V, which is probably why it was not posted there. Blah blah don't do it, blah blah I'll buy it from you, blah blah a crime against nature.

Andrew R Stewart 

The bike looks to be a mid/late 1970s Italian mid/low grade bike. The only things Campy are likely the deraillures. The BB is probably an Italian threaded one. Not so common these days but still made in many choices, while your LBS might not stock any, they can confirm the dimensions and order what you'll need. Bring them the BB cups once you've removed them to let them check the actual threadings. The old crank and Bb are the classic cottered style.

The response you've sturred up reflects what the old guard thinks of your project. Many of us oldies wish that the bikes of this time period would carry on as origonally intended. However many are also happy to see these bikes continue on and be used again. Do yourself (and the next owner) and save the old parts so the bike might be returned to it's former state. Please don't distroy any of the origonal parts, like cut down the bars. Andy.

TampaRaleigh

I would agree with you, but the OP (if he is not a troll) doesn't seem to know much about bike mechanics and I fear that this bike will fall victim to vice-grips and hack saws.

cobrabyte

Too bad they only made like MILLIONS of bikes like that back then...

TampaRaleigh

Which is why there are so many incomplete and rough vintage framesets that make more ideal candidates for a fixie conversion.

cudak888 

Even as a die-hard C&V'er, I can't feel the love for this one. Sure, it is mint and nice, but it's also equivalent to a gaspipe Raleigh Record that's been spiffed up with chrome lugs. All I see is a bottom-end cotterless crankset, nothing-to-write-home-about Campag Valentino derailers, and a cheap seatpost (and my guess is that it's steel too). Stem and brakes look nice though.

Granted, that doesn't excuse monkeying around on this thing with the improper tools, but it should make for a decent fixed conversion - I'll bet that it's spaced to 120mm, and it doesn't have an integral derailer hanger. Perfect bait for a conversion, and it saves one more 531/SL frame from being hacked up.

C&V ethics aside:

Before removing the BB, you need a crank cotter remover (and if you want a local bike shop to do it for you, ASK and SEE the tool first - don't even think of dropping the bike off). Don't buy into the hammer-and-wood method, it doesn't work on anything but loose cranksets. A cotter remover looks like this:

https://www.bikesmithdesign.com/CotterPress/

You'll need to provide a photo of the BB for us to guide you as to the removal tools, though I'll put a bet to it that these are the tools you'll need:

For LH lockring removal: https://www.parktool.com/product/cran...t-wrench-hcw-5
For LH cup removal, if two wrench flats: https://www.parktool.com/product/adju...-wrench-hcw-11
For RH cup removal; also left-hand if cylindrical depressions in the cup instead of wrench flats: https://www.parktool.com/product/cran...t-wrench-hcw-4

-Kurt

ColonelJLloyd 

Presumptive, incorrect and racially insensitive all in one short post. Wow.

OP, if you're genuine you'll post again and there are plenty of us who will help walk you through the conversion.

Honestly, when I removed the crank I would give it to someone who recycles scrap metal. That's what I did with the one I removed from the UO-18 I built up for my mother. The crank and BB must've weighed 5 pounds.

TimmyT 

+1 on what Kurt said.

That's a bike boom commuter. I don't feel bad about it. Plus, it's a bike fercryinoutloud. It's not like they are trimming the crown jewels (either figuratively or literally). Why can't s/he have a fixie? I don't see a problem with it.

fietsbob

Find someone old enough to be familiar with working on cottered type Cranks and BB's and Pay them.

cudak888 

I'll take offense to that - cottered cranks were extinct on everything except Free Spirits long before I was born, and I'm one of less than 10 mechanics in town who know how to service them correctly.

To the OP: Don't go by age. Go by experience. Drill the shop mechanic for his/her knowledge on servicing these cranksets and BB's before even letting them know what you have.

-Kurt

AerobaticDreams

I'll take it that you've never had the joy of driving a Ferrari and probably don't even care about the difference between an over-rated econo-box with an automatic, and a high performance automobile. It's not rude to suggest they learn how this type of machinery is intened to be used....or are you they sort that would go to a Ferrari dealership and whine that they don't come with an automatic?

There is a certain enjoyment and sense of history invovled with older machines of any sort.There are planty of beat up frame sets of all types out there that would easily be turned into a low grade fixie. Would you turn a Model A ford in good condition into a blwon hot rod with a small block chevy in it? A vintage P-51 Mustang into a Unlimited class Air Racer...when other chassises are out there that are incomplete?

The OP might just enjoy what he has found...

DAVIDPP

First of all while fixing bike don't assume anything. Don't take anything for granted.

To everyone else. If i'm wrong don't throw rock at me just correct me.

Your torpado bike probably have Italian threading. There's a few ways you can check if it's Italian. 1st the outside width of the bb shell. 68mm for "standard" and 70mm for Italian. In the bb diagram picture it's the "B" dimension. https://branfordbike.com/merchant/167...ite/bb_cut.jpg. Another way to figure if it's Italian the BB cup will have some numbers, it's the thread pitch 36X24 for italian and 1.37X24 for "Standard" bb. Most of the time you don't have those number on it but it's always good to know.

Knowing what type of BB you have will help you to know which direction to turn to remove the cups.

Before removing the cups you need to remove the crank. Your crank has cotter pin. I removed a few cottered crank, I never used a cotter press. I did it with a hammer. Fail 50% of time, until I saw that video on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mybfNsm1XwM.

Once you remove the crank and the BB. You will buy the bb for the threading you have Italian or "standard" the length will depend on the crank you will use. If you turn it into a fixi you might go with 110mm.

good luck

lostarchitect 

The point was that this is not a Ferrari, it is a Fiat.

Also, your message makes you sound like a jerk. I'm sure you're not, but you might want to re-read it.

-holiday76

I'm gathering you havent either if you're comparing that Italian, blue boat anchor to a Ferrari.

Airburst

Something wrong with old Fiats?

Also, to the above poster, would you mind not using "retrad*" as an insult? It's not exactly the nicest of terms... However, your point does stand, the post is rather aggressive.

To the OP, in all honesty, that bike is in quite good condition, and might therefore sell for quite a bit of money, if you're looking to build a fixie, selling it and buying more expensive parts would be a good way to get much nicer stuff, depending on what you've already got. However, if you want to convert it into one, don't let people tell you not to, just do it!

*I can spell, but the censorship software bites

lostarchitect 

Not at all! I actually love them. But if I want to pretend one is a Ferrari I have to make "vroom vroom" sounds with my mouth.

Such is this bike. It is a very attractive but low end bicycle, not in any way precious. Frankly, if the OP wants to lighten the thing with a new BB, crankset, some alloy fixed gear wheels, etc, I say go for it. It will probably be a fun ride.

RaleighSport

This thread hurts my brain... I really really really hope this isn't just a sign of modern BF trolling.

HillRider

You're the one who need a lesson in current technology. New Ferraris do indeed come with "automatics". Their dual clutch "automated manuals" can indeed shift for themselves and be operated as a fully automatic transmission. Yes they can be overridden and operated manually but so can a great number of torque converter automatics. To the driver the difference is minimal.

Model A hot-rods and P-51 air racers are very common and are generally built on good condition starting platforms.

noglider 

I'm with lostarchitect. The argument that our hero could start with a dirtier, uglier bike is academic. This is the bike he has. It is well suited to fixie conversion. First of all, he's not defacing anything valuable. Secondly, it looks nice. Thirdly, and most importantly, there's potential that it will ride well and serve him well.

onespeedbiker

Assuming this is a legitimate conversion, the bottom bracket shell is most likely threaded for Italian cups. Assuming the shell is the road standard 68mm the ID of the shell is also a long established standard that is the same for your cottered bottom bracket or square taper loose ball or cartridge; the only difference is the axle. It will accept any 68mm bottom bracket, but the length will be depedant on the crankset you choose; you will not be able to use the current crank with a square taper as I said before, the axles are different.

AerobaticDreams

Good job missing my point on everything. It's his bike, who cares if he melts it down and makes a paperweight out of it. I don't. Maybe I should start posting how I am finding fixies and putting them back to original to flip them, because they are cooler that way.....? Then I would have a bunch of folks telling me I shouldn;t do that...instead of inviting me to enjoy it as a fixie.

As for comparing to a Ferrari- they did make the 308, which was popular but a pile.Fiats are still better than an Impala, etc. The point was a decently made machine from Italy, because even a 308 is worlds better than a Camero of the same year. Or Honda. And if I was comparing a current Ferrari its not really like comparing a C & V age bike is it? Then I would have to be talking about some new CF top of the line bike...

...and P-51's, no problem, they made millions of them, so why not butcher them into a racer? I mean there are 50-60 of them left flying worldwide today, so why bother preserving them in a way they can be fully appreciated for what they actually are?

I was simply trying to say, "You got a neat enough bike as it sits, why not ride it and enjoy it as it is? You might discover something you enjoy that you don't even know about yet."