HELP! This fixed bottom bracket cup is going nowhere!
 

I have read some of the other posts from people trying to remove the fixed bottom bracket cup and having it stuck. This one is stuck but it is completely rounded.
Doesn't have the two flat sides to lock a spanner onto. Just two peg holes quite close together.

I'm just worried after trying so many things, filing two flat sides, etc etc, that it is fixed to the frame? Is this possible? It is an old speedwell frame.

I just want to confirm before I keep persevering that this thing is going to eventually unscrew.

Can anyone offer some advice?

http://sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/images/bbtool-bolt.jpg + lots of penetrating oil

Read here: http://sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/bbcups.html

Oh, and be sure you're unscrewing it in the correct direction.

clockwise?

English, Italian, or French BB?

-Kurt

Read the article.

Looks like I'm headed to the hardware store for my next bike tool :)

Depends on the make and model of the frame. There are differences between English and Italian threading directions, and some Japanese-made frames will be English, some Japanese. Look for any markings on the exterior of the BB cups, as well as the spindle. I have a Fuji bike that had a Shimano 36x24t fixed cup, which is an Italian threaded model...

So look closely, take some notes, do some research before you wear yourself out cranking in the wrong direction.

Also, sometimes the cup has been installed super tight because the threads have become super gunked up, and there's only one thing that will get the cup out - a torch. If you really HAVE to get it out, perhaps as part of a repaint/restore, then break out the torch (or go to your friend who has a welding torch) and head up the cup for a couple seconds. It will cause the threads to give a little bit, allowing you to hopefully get the cup out (Source: personal experience. Worked fine for me.).

"some Japanese-made frames will be English, some Japanese"

Aren't English and Japanese the same thing?

And the reason it must come out is what? I used to remove the fixed cup on every bike rehab. No more. Unless the bb is toast, there is no reason to remove the fixed cup. Assuming you have to remove it, the only time I have seen a bb with the two holes like you describe is on the adjustable cup.

Can you post some pictures? Also some pictures of the adjustable cup side as well?

I use the green Parks Tool pin spanner, but only on the adjustable cup. I can't see it working on the fixed cup. No way are you going to get enough leverage with a pin spanner (IMHO). It almost sounds like the PO put an adjustable cup on the wrong side.

http://www.parktool.com/products/det...=25&item=SPA-1

Tke a look inside the BB shell from the other side and you should be able to see what kind of treading you have.

Chombi

re: BB threading: AFAIK, yes.

I use the home made tool above and an 18" breaker bar. I've never used penetrating oil or heat. I set the bike on its tires and stand on the end of the breaker bar. That's over 300 ft lbs of torque. More if I bounce. It never fails.