Hi all, I've been stripping and rebuilding an 87 schwinn circuit with the help of a friend and can't figure out what tool to use to get these cups off. Not sure the exact model of the bb, but the rest of the group is pre-indexed Suntour Sprint. Picture is without the lockrings while we were sanding off the surface rust.



Diameter is approx 35mm.

Park Tools BBT-18 has the correct number of splines but is way too big.

Appreciate any help, thanks!

Yesterday I removed my crankset from my 85 C,Dale ST500 and noticed that the BB looked different and now I know why it is like yours, I am not sure if I have the tool either. Like to see what the tool is myself.
Glenn

The BBT-18 is for externally notched bottom brackets, such as XTR, Bontrager and Truvativ.
Yours is not a Suntour Sprint, though you have probably already worked this much out. I think I've seen such a cup in the past, though I can't recall what tool is needed. Does the fixed cup have the same fitting?

It requires and ulra rare Sunotour tool but can be done with either the yellow or lbue Park spanner. I cant remember which.

My C dale does.
Glenn

The Park SPA-6 can be a good alternative to the proper tool.

Yes, both are identical. Even the lockrings are identical except drive side is painted black instead of chrome/alloy. Lockrings are stamped Suntour. If I could get the damn things off it would be easier to identify!

Spanners are a great idea. Why didn't I think of that before? Thanks miamijim & bikemore.

BTW, I'm guilty of not doing my research first. My apologies. Googled and found this archived thread:

https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-238780.html

Suntour ST-TA230 tool. Ultra rare. A noted mechanic in my town owned one at the time he died a couple years ago. It's that kind of tool. The mechanic in question had called me up and said "Hey I've got that BB tool you need, bring the frame over." Then before I could get there, he died. Now his estate's got it. I'm not making this up.

Since it proved impossible to find, I made one of my own by enlarging the teeth on a Park tool (by welding and grinding).

Those flexy two-pin tools may work, on the other hand they may be useless and leave tool marks if the cups are compressed against each other fairly tight.

Oh yeah, there are some very similar looking Suntour tools for other applications, but don't be fooled, they won't fit.

I have one of those. The other end has a tab broken off. Could put it out on loan

Just to load up this thread with info for future use:

Thread with tool identification (Suntour Sealed Bearing BB Wrench. Part # ST-TA230 ):
https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-648697.html

The BB in question:

https://velobase.com/ViewSingleCompon...m=119&AbsPos=1

Bikemore - Thanks for the offer! If we can't get it off with spanners mind if I PM you with the loan request?

Drakonchik -

I would take a picture and post it, but it is too freakin late. Tab is broken of the larger side, not the side that fits in splines.

Just had a thought. You MAY be able to use the Park double-ended bottom bracket tool that looks like this:

The flat end fits raised 16mm flats on the adjustable cups common on older English bikes and current cheap bikes. The other end has two raised tabs that may fit into your BB. Worth a try.

Update: The adjustable spanner worked great. In fact I think because the caps were pretty loose we could have used almost anything! Paper clips, chopsticks, #2 pencils, baby teeth...

Info for others with same/similar model: My BB is slightly different from the one on velobase (see previous post). Mine is marked "Type: Track" (even though the Circuit was a road bike). Will take a photo of the label and post up later. Also, surprise surprise, these BB's use sealed cartridge bearings.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions and insight. Frame is now ready for prep and paint!