Ok, so I just got a Fuji Grand Tourer for $25 bucks from a friend. I'm looking to fix it up. The frame is a bit beat up (scratched and whatnot) but is structurally sound (i'll probably use this opportunity to try my hand at repainting...eeek!), most of the components are fairly well-cared for, the handlebars and the headset are almost amazingly impeccable. I'm going to be upgrading the brake (calipers, levers) and the wheel set to 700c, I will be running it as a single or fixed gear. I am running into one large problem though. I need to remove/replace the crankset and bottom bracket but the the cranks (while not cottered) have a weird way of attachment. They aren't attached by a hex bolt, rather some strange-looking looking thing that looks sort of a like a keyhole? Anyone have any idea how to deal with this? Is it proprietary to Fuji at that time or something? I am stumped. Also, I've been looking and I can't seem to find out what type/threading/size BB the Fuji uses. Anyways, any help would be appreciated; thanks!

Pictures help. Keyhole sounds like the dust cover on the crank arm, which you remove with a large screwdriver.

I am positive you are looking at the dustcap that does nothing but cover the bolt or nut underneath that really holds the crank on.

Both sides are normal-threaded (lefty-loosey). They are made of chromed plastic or crappy pot metal, so be gentle getting them out of there. Use a huge screw driver that will disperse the torque as much as possible. Not fatal if you bugger them up, but it does mean you will have to tediously pick out the remnants in order to use a crank puller. So a little care here will save you some swearing later.

jim

ahem....I feel stupid.

anyone have any ideas on the bb?

BB threading will be standard English/Japanese.

Neal

Little known secret: everyone is stupid. But we fake otherwise with each other. Once everyone realizes this everything goes much smoother.

jim

p.s., everyone but me, that is. (hint to OP: got the trick yet?)

Out of curiosity - wouldn't a touring bike be a poor-handling thing to convert into a fixed gear bike?

Gran Tourers were not really a full on Touring Bike. More of a recreation bike. It just came out when many companies were enamored with the word Touring.

well, i've been riding it around exactly as I got it and without any adjustments, crappy old chain, shot bearings, and it seems fairly nimble. It feels fairly stiff and quick, the top tube and wheel spread aren't too long, and the bike fits me very, very well (i was surprised at that). all together, i think it will add up just fine. either way, i don't really my other "real" fixed bike as a fixed bike per say (that as a city-centric, traffic loving, street eating machine). I just love the simplicity and low upkeep of the bike and I just ride it along the side of the road as I commute. all in all, it should work out OK (i hope!).

Tourers make the best fixed gears. I just got a chance to look at one of Major Taylors track bikes, and it has angles slacker than my girlfriends Long Haul Trucker.

I had a tourer for a short while, Rode like a cadillac.