I'll take 'Things You Don't Expect to Find in Your Bottom Bracket' for $500, Alex!
05-31-12, 06:56 PM
#29
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Most hardware stores sell neoprene rubber stoppers in the same shape as corks in their loose fittings/screws/nuts/bolts/misc. bin area. I use those to cap all my open top seat tubes.
06-01-12, 12:59 AM
#32
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I found some hay in a BB recently.
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06-01-12, 04:12 AM
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06-01-12, 04:39 AM
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Poor little fella thought he was in heaven when he set up shop in the bottom bracket housing of this old Nishiki Rally...
I have also found bugs, rust dust, business cards, hand written notes, water, money and, sometimes something that looks like fresh grease.
I have also found bugs, rust dust, business cards, hand written notes, water, money and, sometimes something that looks like fresh grease.
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06-01-12, 11:25 AM
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They're just standard bottle corks, kiwigem: Purchased at at your local hardware or Home Improvement store (in this case, Lowes).
They're in with the other "hard to find" fasteners, such as P-clamps, bushings for mounting fenders, etc., - and they come in a wide range of sizes; one to fit any open-ended seat post.
I think they are essential because I don't want anything getting down in there.
They're in with the other "hard to find" fasteners, such as P-clamps, bushings for mounting fenders, etc., - and they come in a wide range of sizes; one to fit any open-ended seat post.
I think they are essential because I don't want anything getting down in there.
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06-01-12, 05:58 PM
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BTW here is another surprise in there: the adjustable cup of the BB:
I started a thread in the Mechanics forum as I have not seen a BB cup like this before. The consensus over there was...well, there wasn't one. 1/2 said 'yeah, not the greatest, but it's fine if there's no pitting,' and the other 1/2 said it was unbelievably terrible machining. It isn't pitted and the other cup and spindle are smooth, so I'm sure it's usable; after all it's lasted 40 years already. But as long as I'm restoring the bike, polishing it, touching up paint, re-installing Campy shifters, Framesaver-ing...I am wondering if I shouldn't improve on this one original-but-not-so-good feature!
I started a thread in the Mechanics forum as I have not seen a BB cup like this before. The consensus over there was...well, there wasn't one. 1/2 said 'yeah, not the greatest, but it's fine if there's no pitting,' and the other 1/2 said it was unbelievably terrible machining. It isn't pitted and the other cup and spindle are smooth, so I'm sure it's usable; after all it's lasted 40 years already. But as long as I'm restoring the bike, polishing it, touching up paint, re-installing Campy shifters, Framesaver-ing...I am wondering if I shouldn't improve on this one original-but-not-so-good feature!
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06-01-12, 07:32 PM
#38
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BTW here is another surprise in there: the adjustable cup of the BB:
I started a thread in the Mechanics forum as I have not seen a BB cup like this before. The consensus over there was...well, there wasn't one. 1/2 said 'yeah, not the greatest, but it's fine if there's no pitting,' and the other 1/2 said it was unbelievably terrible machining. It isn't pitted and the other cup and spindle are smooth, so I'm sure it's usable; after all it's lasted 40 years already. But as long as I'm restoring the bike, polishing it, touching up paint, re-installing Campy shifters, Framesaver-ing...I am wondering if I shouldn't improve on this one original-but-not-so-good feature!
I started a thread in the Mechanics forum as I have not seen a BB cup like this before. The consensus over there was...well, there wasn't one. 1/2 said 'yeah, not the greatest, but it's fine if there's no pitting,' and the other 1/2 said it was unbelievably terrible machining. It isn't pitted and the other cup and spindle are smooth, so I'm sure it's usable; after all it's lasted 40 years already. But as long as I'm restoring the bike, polishing it, touching up paint, re-installing Campy shifters, Framesaver-ing...I am wondering if I shouldn't improve on this one original-but-not-so-good feature!
Replace it. You know you want to.
That bearing race looks like it was made by Pierre, le machinist, on a Friday after a few too many glasses of wine.
06-01-12, 09:04 PM
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Just to add to the biodiversity of the thread, I found a "side blotched lizard" Uta stansburiana in a Panasonic BB that I opened recently. He was mummified but intact. BB s are time capsules. Tom
06-02-12, 05:01 PM
#41
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Are those the little lizards that I see all over the place out here? They scare me all the time when they rustle in the bushes as I walk or ride by.
06-16-12, 07:27 AM
#42
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Chicago Al
I don't think it was useable as new if what you imply were true. Measure the spindle and install a new, sealed BB of the same length and taper. Unless its a museum piece. I don't intend on using cup and ball on builds anymore. There is too much to do in life and too much riding to be done.
so I'm sure it's usable; after all it's lasted 40 years already.
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06-16-12, 09:56 AM
#43
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^ Too late, Lenton. I reinstalled the BB on Thursday and it feels pretty smooth. BTW as I cleaned things up I found that the fixed cup had the same machining marks, in fact if you look up 'TA bottom bracket' on eBay you will see photos of others that appear to be the same way. Apparently TA's standards of finish were not up to Campy, Shimano, Tange, SR, even Stronglight.
I had to go to a bike shop with a venerable mechanic to get the Maillard freewheel pulled from the rear wheel, and I brought along the adjustable cup and spindle to show him. The cup didn't even raise his eyebrows, he said it was nothing surprising considering the era it was from, and that I was 'lucky' to find it in such good condition. That was a good enough endorsement for me.
Besides, now that I have a TA crankpuller (thanks, b dub), I would have no hesitation about pulling things apart again.
Now, to complete the bike!
I had to go to a bike shop with a venerable mechanic to get the Maillard freewheel pulled from the rear wheel, and I brought along the adjustable cup and spindle to show him. The cup didn't even raise his eyebrows, he said it was nothing surprising considering the era it was from, and that I was 'lucky' to find it in such good condition. That was a good enough endorsement for me.
Besides, now that I have a TA crankpuller (thanks, b dub), I would have no hesitation about pulling things apart again.
Now, to complete the bike!
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I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
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