Rebuilding my recently acquired 1978 Superior. "Before" photos here.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/577941-1978-schwinn-superior-beater.html

It's pretty straightforward until I get to the original Nervar crank set with Atom pedals. The pedals are in such bad shape they must be replaced. I'm assuming they are French threaded (.551" x 20.32 TPI), as a standard (9/16" x 20 TPI) thread pedal will not work as direct replacement.

What are considerations for:

1. Retapping Nervar crank to accept regular pedal? Concerns for diminished strength of arm? Also, will value of nice old French crank be affected?

2. Will any replacement French threaded pedal fit?

3. What about 1/2" to 9/16 adapters? Again, seems like there might be some strength issues with pedal effectively setting an additional ~3/4" - 1" away from crank.

Anybody interested in interim photos?

Thanks for the help.

J

I'd re-tap the crank if it's French threaded (it's probably not). There are no strength issues and it's a common upgrade. The crank would probably fetch more with English pedal threads than with French and if you're going to ride the bike you'll want some nice pedals on it. Good luck with the project!

I am 99%sure that the pedal threads are not French, but standard thread size. Only bikes made in France, a la Peugeot, utilized French threads. Ususually a Park pedal wrench will remove a tought screwed in pedal. From this column's advice, I have bought and successfully used PB Blaster to remove tougth threaded in parts.

Yes! Is that even really a question?