Replace Bottom Bracket?
05-02-18, 05:03 PM
#1
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Replace Bottom Bracket?
I am at the bottom bracket portion of my 1982 Matsuri rebuild. It has the typical 1.37 x 24T design. Inspecting the spindle races, I notice a tiny (not much) area of pinhead-size pitting. It's a Hatta. Spindle has a "3U" stamping.
Thoughts on this? Replace the BB? Is it something that would be noticeable at all at this level of pitting? If so, recommendations for a new BB assembly?
I so love getting bike grease on myself again....the aroma of turpentine.....I feel like a kid in a candy shop....
Thoughts on this? Replace the BB? Is it something that would be noticeable at all at this level of pitting? If so, recommendations for a new BB assembly?
I so love getting bike grease on myself again....the aroma of turpentine.....I feel like a kid in a candy shop....
Last edited by stuart1865; 05-02-18 at 05:12 PM.
05-02-18, 05:08 PM
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Eh, considering how cheap and good the Shimano square taper BBs are, I say replace. That pitting will only get worse.
05-02-18, 05:40 PM
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Yeah, the only reason to keep it is if you can’t afford to get a new one.
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05-02-18, 06:00 PM
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Got the driveside cup out yet? 
05-02-18, 06:02 PM
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I think a 3U spindle is 127mm, so there is this at Chain Reaction cycles for $20:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/u...mtprd 271960US
Should last thousands and thousands of miles. You would need to either buy or borrow the (inexpensive) tool to install it.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/u...mtprd 271960US
Should last thousands and thousands of miles. You would need to either buy or borrow the (inexpensive) tool to install it.
05-02-18, 06:35 PM
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If you are thrifty like me a UN26 cartridge works fine and can be had for $10
05-03-18, 09:42 AM
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A 3U spindle is 127.5 mm long and asymmetric, being 5 mm longer on the drive side.
You can replicate that pretty darn closely by using a 127 mm cartridge bottom bracket and a 2.5 mm spacer under the drive side flange.
...or if you'd prefer, you can simply replace the spindle. 3U's are still available. (Replace the 1/4" balls, too.)
Sunlite 3U Spindle at Modern Bike
You can replicate that pretty darn closely by using a 127 mm cartridge bottom bracket and a 2.5 mm spacer under the drive side flange.
...or if you'd prefer, you can simply replace the spindle. 3U's are still available. (Replace the 1/4" balls, too.)
Sunlite 3U Spindle at Modern Bike
Last edited by SkyDog75; 05-03-18 at 09:45 AM.
05-03-18, 10:15 AM
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I have to ask, is that long (and with extra offset no less) of a spindle actually necessary for this particular application?
It usually comes down to the smallest chainring's bolt heads, sometimes a chainring with counter-bored holes buys a li'l bit of extra clearance, and other times I have taken a hammer to a lesser frame's right chanstay.
It usually comes down to the smallest chainring's bolt heads, sometimes a chainring with counter-bored holes buys a li'l bit of extra clearance, and other times I have taken a hammer to a lesser frame's right chanstay.
05-03-18, 10:39 AM
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@dddd - it's all about chain line. Secondarily it is about chain ring clearance on the stays.
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