Normandy luxe competition replacement cones?
 

My normandy luxe competition (gold label, integrated dust caps) front hub has some slight pitting in the front cone. Does anyone know of a source for normandy luxe competition replacement cones? Is there a "close enough" alternative?

That's a particular hub...early Competition models had a 'shallow' cut cones and were different than others. They took 12 3/16" balls. (this comes from 4th Sutherlands 11-1) I had this problem some time ago.

Where you ever able to solve the problem? If so, how?

In my experience, all Normandy cones are both 1) soft and 2) very hard to find in good condition.
If you find a source, let us know. I often find old wheels with Normandy hubs in the recycle bin at the local co-op and once in a blue moon there will be a good cone or two there. Otherwise, they are very hard to find.

The Competition had better cones than the low model hub.

I'm pretty sure I just subbed in an alternate hub. I never had a source for french cones although I'm sure there's some out there, hiding in little french wooden drawers.

Beldar has them in mass quantities.

Who is this Beldar of which you speak? How would I go about contacting them?

Well played sir.

I will add to the OP that I just recently discovered some mild pitting on a pair of 35 year old Normandy cones and dressed and polished the pitting out of the races on a lathe. Reinstalled with fresh grease, new balls, and some careful adjusting. Went right back to almost daily use. While the jury is still out I'm sure, I check them after every ride and they still roll smooth as butter.

He claims to be from France. But looks like he may come from your part of the universe Mr. Spock.

Now be fair. :)
OP, Beldar is a 'conehead' in popular comedic culture
https://latimesherocomplex.files.wor...8/f52900gy.jpg

I too was able to resurface a similar pair of cones by turning in a lathe with a radiused carbide bit, followed with polishing with lapping compound. The steel used then may not have been as hard as is common now. I think my resurface may be a better finish than original. Not many miles but my hubs are still running smoothly.

I thought I might need to add a spacer washer to account for the new bearing plane, but it turned out to be minimal difference.

see here for pictures
http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...d-sport-3.html

I have some.....shoot me a PM

Thank you for that link. I must have missed that thread. My cones not that old, did not appear quite as bad as in those pics.

PM sent.

I was completely oblivious about the Beldar thing. Now I know.

Me too!

An alternate approach where a replacement part is unobtanium is to add metal via "hard chroming" and then regrind. Had a friend who worked in a shop which repaired "rotating equipment" who did this for me on a Stronglight Competition cottered bottom bracket spindle and it worked out well.

Probably not something one would want to do each time a pitted hub cone is encountered...

Who did you direct that post to - the entire internet? :lol: Do you also have mass quantities? :)

And as Beldar hath spake so articulately, mass quantities are for CONSUMING!

My post was for the OP....no I do not have 'mass quanitites'.