Which reminds me. I shouldn’t be buying more forks until I know the BB’s coming out.
Going to call the bike shop tomorrow
Dawes The Edge/ Pace RC31 restomod build
- Thread starter Camelos
- Start date
Going to call the bike shop tomorrow
bikeworkshop
Old School Grand Master
I know. Totally understand. I basically just said the same to my husband. Plus reminds me of the many conversations I had with customers on this very subject back in the days when I managed a bike shop.BBs always come out.
It's just a question of survival, and cost
bikeworkshop
Old School Grand Master
If you've got time, steel plate and bolts you could make a custom fit 4-pin spanner.
Frame is still a bargain - if the bb comes out usable, it will offset the removal cost
Frame is still a bargain - if the bb comes out usable, it will offset the removal cost
27motorhead
Old School Grand Master
- Feedback
- View
I had a Zero BB BITD. They are great BB's and it took a couple of years hammering being used all year around in South Wales. Never heard a creak from it unlike many other Ti BB's and only got swapped out because I went for a new splined chainset.If you've got time, steel plate and bolts you could make a custom fit 4-pin spanner.
Frame is still a bargain - if the bb comes out usable, it will offset the removal cost
But to torque it up you do need proper 4 pin tool otherwise you will 100% mash the holes. As @bikeworkshop stated you can get one made or make one yourself as I have done in the past with not too many specialist tools.
Interesting. Did you ever replace the cartridge bearings? I would keep it if I could . It’s not in terrible condition so might use it initially but I don’t like the fact I can’t service it without the 4 pin tool. Just waiting to hear back from lbs to see if they have the tool. If they don’t surely someone in London will
I definitely don’t think I have the skills, equipment or patience let alone the time to make my own tool27motorhead
Old School Grand Master
- Feedback
- View
Never replaced the cartridge bearings, but from memory it should be a simple job.Interesting. Did you ever replace the cartridge bearings? I would keep it if I could . It’s not in terrible condition so might use it initially but I don’t like the fact I can’t service it without the 4 pin tool. Just waiting to hear back from lbs to see if they have the tool. If they don’t surely someone in London will
Someone in the London area should have one. Sadly a few older shops I could have recommended are no longer about. I bet you Condor would have one, but you might be miles from them?
Making a tool is easier than it sounds. You would need:
A random piece of plate steel or aluminium (body of the tool)
Dowel pins - you can buy from eBay in small QTY's (for the pins)
Pistol drill (for drilling the holes for the pins in the plate and one for the BB axle)
HSS drill bits (as above)
Centre punch (marking out for accurate drilling)
hammer (for hitting the centre punch)
Grease proof paper (for transferring the position of the holes on the BB cup to the metal - a bit like brass rubbing)
Pencil (as above)
Hacksaw (cutting metal plate to shape)
Adjustable spanner (for gripping and turning the plate)
Large washers & crank arm bolt (for holding the tool in place)
I guess that list looks quite daunting!!!
Thanks so much for the detailed instructions @27motorhead I may give it a try if needed. There’s probably some people I could get to help if I get stuck.
This is where’s my heads at - the local shop don’t have the tool either but reckon they could the bb out one way or another. However, I think I’ll build the bike up first and properly check the chainline with 1x11 drivetrain.
That gives me some time to see if I can find someone with the correct tool. You’re right Condor are a likely bet. It’s one place that pretty much always has the thing you need available but top dollar. Hopefully it’s okay to ride and see if I need to change the bb length anyway and I should get the opportunity to ask some other mechanics over the coming weeks or maybe have a go at constructing a tool.
This is where’s my heads at - the local shop don’t have the tool either but reckon they could the bb out one way or another. However, I think I’ll build the bike up first and properly check the chainline with 1x11 drivetrain.
That gives me some time to see if I can find someone with the correct tool. You’re right Condor are a likely bet. It’s one place that pretty much always has the thing you need available but top dollar. Hopefully it’s okay to ride and see if I need to change the bb length anyway and I should get the opportunity to ask some other mechanics over the coming weeks or maybe have a go at constructing a tool.
27motorhead
Old School Grand Master
- Feedback
- View
Not quite instructions, but a list of potential things you'll need.
You're pretty much copying the spacing of the holes using paper and transferring the marks onto a random bit of metal and then drilling holes in it for the dowels to turn it into a bespoke peg spanner.
Declan Hicks the owner of Zero Components was on RB, but hasn't been seen since 2016!
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/i-feel-partly-responsible-for-all-this.350596/
Which part of London are you? I'd be ringing around places first before doing any travelling. Brixton Cycles, Bromley Bike Co., Brick Lane Bikes possibly... @Rod_Saetan might be able to suggest something as he's London based. Possibly Winston Vaz (ex Roberts) might have such a tool lying about...
I’m north east London so condor is definitely in range and and Brixton, BLB, plus there are a couple around Dalston that would be worth talking too as well. I’ll track one down one way or another.
Well that’s nice that the owner turned up here at one point. Shame he didn’t have a stash of Bb tools. To be honest, I only got into bikes around the millennium so a lot of the niche British 90’s stuff is new to me. Some great, ambitious design but then it’s difficult to install/remove. Some like Declan have moved onto totally different things but others are still going.
I got the chance to go to U.S.E Head office a few years back which was an interesting day out and definitely one of the nicest bike industry offices/locations imo.
Well that’s nice that the owner turned up here at one point. Shame he didn’t have a stash of Bb tools. To be honest, I only got into bikes around the millennium so a lot of the niche British 90’s stuff is new to me. Some great, ambitious design but then it’s difficult to install/remove. Some like Declan have moved onto totally different things but others are still going.
I got the chance to go to U.S.E Head office a few years back which was an interesting day out and definitely one of the nicest bike industry offices/locations imo.
