Avocet Saddle - 1st project
05-09-12 | 06:01 PM
#1
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
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Avocet Saddle - 1st project
Hello all! I have been a lurker on Bike forums for quite some time now. I am posting because you all have made me believe that I am capable of working on my own bike project- which I have started and near completed!
I bought a 1973 Le Jeune from my local craigslist and began the process of converting in to single-speed! I have successfully done so- redishing the wheel after removing the cassette and all that. It was a great learning experience and now I am working on cosmetic parts of my cycle: I have sawed off the drop bars to create bull horns which I have re-wrapped in red tape. I moved the brake trigger to the ends so they look like the endcap style triggers... it's really sleek if I do say so myself.
My problem is this: the saddle. I have an old Avocet USA Touring saddle, the Touring II to be precise. when I loosened the nuts to take it off, the saddle came off the seat post with the mounting bracket stuck underneath. No amount of fiddling has enabled me to get it off.... and I am afraid if I use any more force I may break something. I have also been unable to find any good answers just googling around the net.
Is this some sort of old seat style where the mounting bracket is stuck to the rails of the saddle? Is it caked on from old age? Would I simply be better off buying a new seat post? I apologize for my amateur description of the problem- please see the picture for a better idea of what I am talking about.
What is this? Can I take it off to put on my new saddle? Does anyone care to tell me how? I feel so silly having come this far and getting stumped on the seat!
I bought a 1973 Le Jeune from my local craigslist and began the process of converting in to single-speed! I have successfully done so- redishing the wheel after removing the cassette and all that. It was a great learning experience and now I am working on cosmetic parts of my cycle: I have sawed off the drop bars to create bull horns which I have re-wrapped in red tape. I moved the brake trigger to the ends so they look like the endcap style triggers... it's really sleek if I do say so myself.
My problem is this: the saddle. I have an old Avocet USA Touring saddle, the Touring II to be precise. when I loosened the nuts to take it off, the saddle came off the seat post with the mounting bracket stuck underneath. No amount of fiddling has enabled me to get it off.... and I am afraid if I use any more force I may break something. I have also been unable to find any good answers just googling around the net.
Is this some sort of old seat style where the mounting bracket is stuck to the rails of the saddle? Is it caked on from old age? Would I simply be better off buying a new seat post? I apologize for my amateur description of the problem- please see the picture for a better idea of what I am talking about.
05-09-12 | 06:11 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Likes: 39
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
The clamp might have corroded on to the rails on that saddle as there is no reason for it to be stuck like that.....unless....the previous owner somehow glued it on with epoxy or some other permanent type glue.
People have been know to glue stuff together if they cannot get them tight enough with their tools to stay in position. Do you see any sign of glue or corrosion between the seat rails and clamps??
Some parts also tend to mechanically hook and stick together after they are tightened on with bolts or screws either from parts "keying" tightly togehter at common openings or deformation. Give the clamp assembly a few taps or firm whacks with a small hammer or any other heavyish tool you may have handy. If your'e lucky, it might just ping off the rails and fall to the floor in separate parts.
Good Luck!
Chombi
People have been know to glue stuff together if they cannot get them tight enough with their tools to stay in position. Do you see any sign of glue or corrosion between the seat rails and clamps??
Some parts also tend to mechanically hook and stick together after they are tightened on with bolts or screws either from parts "keying" tightly togehter at common openings or deformation. Give the clamp assembly a few taps or firm whacks with a small hammer or any other heavyish tool you may have handy. If your'e lucky, it might just ping off the rails and fall to the floor in separate parts.
Good Luck!
Chombi
Last edited by Chombi; 05-09-12 at 06:38 PM.
05-09-12 | 06:35 PM
#3
Senior Lurker, mostly.
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 242
Likes: 1
From: Mid Missouri.
Bikes: '02 Raleigh C40, '10 Fuji Touring, and a refurbished '82 (I think) Motobecane Grand Touring
Looks like it may be jammed forward, just an observation. I agree with Chombi on trying to tap it loose, see if you can give it a good whack, knocking it toward the back of the saddle. Good luck!
05-09-12 | 06:43 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 16
From: Oxnard, CA
Bikes: 2009 Fuji Roubaix RC; 2011 Fuji Cross 2.0; '92 Diamond Back Ascent EX
Is the shaft stuck in place? If not, remove the shaft going through the middle and it will fall apart. The shaft is square (except for the ends) so you may need to rotate it to line up then slide it out.
05-09-12 | 06:48 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
The clamp might have corroded on to the rails on that saddle as there is no reason for it to be stuck like that.....unless....the previous owner somehow glued it on with epoxy or some other permanent type glue.
People have been know to glue stuff together if they cannot get them tight enough with their tools to stay in position. Do you see any sign of glue or corrosion between the seat rails and clamps??
Some parts also tend to mechanically hook and stick together after they are tightened on with bolts or screws either from parts "keying" tightly togehter at common openings or deformation. Give the clamp assembly a few taps or firm whacks with a small hammer or any other heavyish tool you may have handy. If your'e lucky, it might just ping off the rails and fall to the floor in separate parts.
Good Luck!
Chombi
People have been know to glue stuff together if they cannot get them tight enough with their tools to stay in position. Do you see any sign of glue or corrosion between the seat rails and clamps??
Some parts also tend to mechanically hook and stick together after they are tightened on with bolts or screws either from parts "keying" tightly togehter at common openings or deformation. Give the clamp assembly a few taps or firm whacks with a small hammer or any other heavyish tool you may have handy. If your'e lucky, it might just ping off the rails and fall to the floor in separate parts.
Good Luck!
Chombi
Thanks to everyone for reading and posting suggestions.
05-09-12 | 06:57 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Likes: 39
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
Glad to help!
Call on us again if you have any other questions about your C&V bike!
Chombi
