1988 Bradbury Manitou (finished pics page 12!)
- Thread starter shamobius
- Start date
shamobius
BoTM Winner
Re: 1988 Bradbury Manitou restoration (reunited 25 years later)
Thanks Pete for the vote of confidence. I now have a skinnier crank spindle!
When I attempted to install my Bullseye cranks and bottom bracket, I found that the bearings were shot, and the bearings are not replaceable. So I took the cranks to a machinist and had the spindle lathed down from 7/8" (22.2mm) to 22mm. Luckily the splines were recessed, so very little material was removed from the splines.
A 22mm spindle allowed me to use a euro bmx bottom bracket with English threads. They use small cartridge bearings, but there are two in each cup (4 total), so they should hold up okay.
I painted the cranks with Por 15, a pretty durable automotive paint, self-levelling, cool stuff. Hopefully it holds up all right. I still have to tweak the spacing of the crank arms a bit, try to bring them inboard. But overall a pretty simple re-fit, and smooth as butter...
Thanks Pete for the vote of confidence. I now have a skinnier crank spindle!
When I attempted to install my Bullseye cranks and bottom bracket, I found that the bearings were shot, and the bearings are not replaceable. So I took the cranks to a machinist and had the spindle lathed down from 7/8" (22.2mm) to 22mm. Luckily the splines were recessed, so very little material was removed from the splines.
A 22mm spindle allowed me to use a euro bmx bottom bracket with English threads. They use small cartridge bearings, but there are two in each cup (4 total), so they should hold up okay.
I painted the cranks with Por 15, a pretty durable automotive paint, self-levelling, cool stuff. Hopefully it holds up all right. I still have to tweak the spacing of the crank arms a bit, try to bring them inboard. But overall a pretty simple re-fit, and smooth as butter...
syncrosfan
Senior Retro Guru
Re: 1988 Bradbury Manitou restoration (reunited 25 years later)
Nice! Good job on those Bullseye cranks. I know they're quite popular but man, look at that Q-factor! Are they at least decently light?
Nice! Good job on those Bullseye cranks. I know they're quite popular but man, look at that Q-factor! Are they at least decently light?
chefmiguel
Old School Hero
Re: 1988 Bradbury Manitou restoration (reunited 25 years later)
Nope.
Nope.
shamobius
BoTM Winner
Re: 1988 Bradbury Manitou restoration (reunited 25 years later)
The weight of the crank arms, spider, spindle and bolts is 702 grams, the bottom bracket is 146 grams, so I'm at 848 for the cranks and bb, not including chainrings. Not sure if that is light or not. But they are crazy stiff, and don't they look cool with the square rear triangle!
Q-factor, well like I said I can bring them in closer to the chainstays, just need to sort out my spacer situation. But the Manitous were originally spec'ed with a 115mm bb shell, mine is 68mm, so I'm already well inboard of that!syncrosfan":7xf7jl2a said:
The weight of the crank arms, spider, spindle and bolts is 702 grams, the bottom bracket is 146 grams, so I'm at 848 for the cranks and bb, not including chainrings. Not sure if that is light or not. But they are crazy stiff, and don't they look cool with the square rear triangle!
syncrosfan
Senior Retro Guru
Re: 1988 Bradbury Manitou restoration (reunited 25 years later)
I never quite understood the popularity of the Bullseye cranks. (and I do like tubular steel cranks, I have two pairs of Syncros Revolutions, and a set of Sweet Wings).
Terrible Q-factor (check), specialty bearings that are impossible to source (check), not really light (check), quality-wise rather iffy looking (in my opinion: check), expensive (check).
Disclaimer: I'm not putting shamobius build down at all, was just wondering why in the world are those cranks so popular? I still think they're cool but I wouldn't want to deal with a pair myself. (shouldn't point any fingers, ironically enough I irrationally like everything Nuke Proof, well knowing that function-wise most of their stuff was crap).
I never quite understood the popularity of the Bullseye cranks. (and I do like tubular steel cranks, I have two pairs of Syncros Revolutions, and a set of Sweet Wings).
Terrible Q-factor (check), specialty bearings that are impossible to source (check), not really light (check), quality-wise rather iffy looking (in my opinion: check), expensive (check).
Disclaimer: I'm not putting shamobius build down at all, was just wondering why in the world are those cranks so popular? I still think they're cool but I wouldn't want to deal with a pair myself. (shouldn't point any fingers, ironically enough I irrationally like everything Nuke Proof, well knowing that function-wise most of their stuff was crap).
Re: 1988 Bradbury Manitou restoration (reunited 25 years later)
Superb! a future proofed set of cranks with bearings that work and still look vintage.
Bullseyes just look the part on so many bikes but they especially match the boxy stays on that manitou. Key thing to remember is they might not be the best because of any one of the reasons syncrosfan mentions but then when does function score over form when discussing retro bikes
shamobius":2hjwhq68 said:
Superb! a future proofed set of cranks with bearings that work and still look vintage.
Bullseyes just look the part on so many bikes but they especially match the boxy stays on that manitou. Key thing to remember is they might not be the best because of any one of the reasons syncrosfan mentions but then when does function score over form when discussing retro bikes
shamobius
BoTM Winner
Re: 1988 Bradbury Manitou restoration (reunited 25 years later)
Oh the waiting...
I have everything but the rear wheel, which should have been built over a week ago. The builder got the front wheel done easily enough, but I guess the spokes of the rear wheel he selected were just a tad short, and he kept stripping out the threads on the nipples. Looking for the right spokes, trying to be patient. Oh well, gives me time to fine tune and tinker. And dream, and wonder what the ride qualities will be. So close!!!
Oh the waiting...
I have everything but the rear wheel, which should have been built over a week ago. The builder got the front wheel done easily enough, but I guess the spokes of the rear wheel he selected were just a tad short, and he kept stripping out the threads on the nipples. Looking for the right spokes, trying to be patient. Oh well, gives me time to fine tune and tinker. And dream, and wonder what the ride qualities will be. So close!!!
