tried to remove the bottom bracket on my 80's Motta today, left side was OK but the ring on the right cup was stuck, Shedon Brown says Italian are both RH threads,so I tried going right and couldnt get it loose, then tried leftand still no go , I did not get really hard on it either direction for fear of stripping it,Its a Shimano Dura ace square taper BB,Before I get real heavy on the wrench, is there a way I can determine if its really a RH thread on that side?? since it appears really tough to find a square taper
bottom bracket,in Italian threads, to replace it I really do not want to risk stripping it..
Any direction would be appreciated...Thanks...(I am just going to clean and lube it)
Bud

What does it say on the BB cup? That would tell you for sure.

They are marked, you know?

When I had the crank off I Did look very closely to see if it said , and there was no indication as to RH or LH..(think that indicates something??)Thanks,
Bud(

Italian threads are right-handed on both sides. It is 36 x 24, right? Get a Zog's Cogs fixed-cup wrench, or a tool that actually clamps on, so it can't slip, but I've never seen a cup that I couldn't get off with a Zog's wrench.

Sheldon sez its Right/RIght, but I put a pretty good amount of pressure on it with the wrench and it did not move, If I have one that is really not right right, and I really lean on it, I am afraid I will strip the threads ,and then be up S/creek,trying to get a new bottom bracket..,and rethread the frame...Hope I am not being to paranoid, just trying to get it right....
Bud

When Rebuilding Bottom Brackets, use a set-up similar to this which will help to ensure that the wrench does not slip off of the narrow nut faces. The lean on it and watch for movement. I use a good condition 12" or 15" adjustable wrench for this task...


Do not try to move the cup much. Just get it moving and don't worry about stripping the thread with minimal movement. If it moves one way, stop and then try the other. You should feel a difference in the torque required to move the nut. Go with the movement that feels the easiest, probably right hand as others have suggested.

Hope this is a help and I loved my Gianni Motta Personal, even though it was a touch too large for me...


Hope this is a help.

It's in there really tight because:
sometimes Italian BB tend to unscrew themselves (let's not make this thread about that); and that being said
they get overtightened, or
they get installed with Loctite

Your Motta is Italian. Sheldon's $5 fixed cup tool (Bolt+washers+nut) can be a big help. [My Personal 2000 is built up with DA as well].

But, if you are only going to clean and lube, there's really no reason to remove it. You can perform that while the cup is still installed in the frame.

+1 I have no idea why you are being advised on how to remove the fixed cup. Don't.

Ok , well,I cleaned and lubed it, and all looks well, and it felt really good after adjusting, so , I am gonna pass on anymore fooling around with it,
And a huge thanks to all for the help in keeping me from making this more than it otta be!!!
Bud,,,,

Right Hand thread means LEFT to unthread.

As a millwright at a seminar from Loctite, we learned that Loctite 242 increases break free torque by 5 foot pounds, which is not very much.

Just though you might find that interesting, however...

If very fine threaded aluminium threads, such as those on a Triumph Bonneville timing case, the 242 will actually rip the threads out, believe it or not.

If this is an 80s vintage Dura-Ace bottom bracket, the Campagnolo 793/A fixed cup tool will make short work of that job.



Any decent shop with a Campy tool kit should have one.

But as ColonelJLloyd noted, there's no compelling reason to remove the fixed cup unless you need to replace the whole bottom bracket.

Or, less ambiguously, counter-clockwise.

No need to take out the fixed cup unless you're getting the frame painted...

Right, how does the ditty go...

"clockwise tighty, counter-clockwise loosey"

It is Right Hand Thread not Clock Wise thread, talking about ambiguous.

This is the Motta eguess the picture went like my first try at the BB
Bud

Righty tighty. Lefty loosey.