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Post your Centurion Ironman.. For the love of 80s paint jobs!

Old 03-27-20, 06:14 PM
  #8301  
seypat
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It's been a hectic week, but finally time for another episode of Ironman Nation How to mechanic. This episode we'll get back to the basics for the noobs. We'll overhaul/service the Bottom Bracket and the headset. Here is a pic of our project. Notice the freshly repositioned handlebars.

Speaking of handlebars, it appears I have a chunk out of the tape below the brakes. It might be time for some new tape.
If you are looking for new tape and find an exotic color or pattern you think might work, let me show you a quick money saving tip.

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Old 03-27-20, 06:20 PM
  #8302  
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Before you take a chance and order the new stuff, make a mockup first. Find some party/wrapping ribbon similar to the tape you are thinking about.


Temporarily put it on with some tape and see what it looks like. Better to waste a buck or two before you order the tape.
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Old 03-27-20, 06:33 PM
  #8303  
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That's hideous! I don't know what I was thinking. It does match the chainstay protector and rims, however. Mr. Bingley hates it so much he turned away. Good thing I didn't order the real stuff before I checked. That would have been $20 wasted.

Anyway, let's get to the BB.
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Old 03-27-20, 06:47 PM
  #8304  
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How to mechanic BB service continued.

I already showed you how to get the crank off. We'll start with the cranks arms off.


Cup/spindle/bearings Bottom Bracket assemblies consist of a fixed cup, a spindle, an adjustable cup, lock ring and bearings. The bearing can be either loose, or in cages. There also could be a cool

spindle sleeve/protector as well. Loose bearings make for a better setup. Some cups come with rubber seals like this one. This is the exact model that is on this bike. Be careful with the seals.

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Old 03-27-20, 07:12 PM
  #8305  
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How to mechanic BB service continued.

The tools to remove the cups are:
A lock ring tool and a cup spanner wrench.
You don't need to remove the fixed cup. They can be stubborn. If you decide to remove it, you will need a big a$$ adjustable wrench also. The best way to remove it however, is with a shop vise.

Last edited by seypat; 03-27-20 at 08:53 PM.
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Old 03-27-20, 07:18 PM
  #8306  
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Looks like I'm not the only one OCD enough to line up the slots of the chainring nuts on a tangent.
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Old 03-27-20, 07:24 PM
  #8307  
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How to mechanic BB service continued.

Put on some gloves because your hands will get greasy. Use the lock ring tool to loosen the ring, then take it off. Lefty loosey. Next, use the spanner wrench to remove the adjustable cup. Lefty loosey also. Before you take it out, get something to catch any loose parts. Remove it and the spindle as well.


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Old 03-27-20, 07:34 PM
  #8308  
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How to mechanic BB service continued.

Let's see what was in there. Loose balls. That is good setup for a bike, but not a positive situation for an aging male. If you have this situation, I suggest switching from boxers to briefs or boxer briefs. That will provide some support/stability and tighten things up a bit.

Manufacturers started using caged bearings as a cost cutting and assembly reduction process. You can find the correct size bearing for your model at Velobase.

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Old 03-27-20, 07:48 PM
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How to mechanic BB service continued.

Next you need to clean the cup/cups, spindle and bearings. Then inspect the bearing races for pitting. You can look up images for pitting. Normally I would take out the fixed cup because it is harder getting loose bearings back in when it is still in. This one didn't budge, so I left it in. Use whatever means you have to get it clean. Pipe cleaner, tooth brush, whatever.

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Old 03-27-20, 07:59 PM
  #8310  
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How to mechanic BB service continued.

If everything is in good shape, time to reinstall. You can use the old bearing or put in some new ones. Bearings are cheap. Might as well put some new ones in. Again, check Velobase for correct bearing size and the number on each side. The rule of thumb is fill the race with bearings until there is not any room for another, then take one out. They must have some room when they connect with the spindle. Put some grease in the races before you put the bearings in.

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Old 03-27-20, 08:11 PM
  #8311  
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How to mechanic BB service continued.

Now to the fixed cup. If the fixed cup is on the bicycle, getting the loose bearings back in is no easy task. Here is how to do it. Lay the bike on it's drive side with the open/adjustable side up. Use a plastic knife or something and grease up the bearing race going in through the top opening. Take the bearings one at a time and push them up through the opening in the fixed cup into the greasy bearing race. Use a screwdriver in the other hand from the top to help guide them into the race. For caged bearings, put them in from the top. Note the correct alignment.



Last edited by seypat; 03-27-20 at 08:50 PM.
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Old 03-27-20, 08:14 PM
  #8312  
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Originally Posted by rccardr
How about a nearly new pair of 23mm Continental Ultra Gatorskins, pair of good used tubes, and some 105 pedals with cages and straps for the price of postage- medium box would be about $19? Can also toss in a set of MTB pedals if your friend comes up with a pair of appropriate shoes.
PM me if interested.
I'll be PMing you. Thank you, Doc.

I just had my husband reconfirm the wheel size and the tires only have Mitsubishi and Japan on them (they're old enough that strands are popping out of the sidewalls). This is what the rims look like. They say "27 x 1 1/4 w/o Japan". w/o? How can I clean up those rims? Some soap and a green scrub pad?

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Old 03-27-20, 08:40 PM
  #8313  
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How to mechanic BB service continued.

Once the fixed cup bearings are in, put the spindle in. Install it with the longer side(drive side) going down into the fixed cup. Hold the spindle in place and stand the bike up again. Hold the spindle from the drive side. Take the adjustable cup with bearings and slide over the spindle. Screw in the adjustable cup. Righty tighty. MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT CROSS THREAD THE CUP. There should be no resistance. DO NOT FORCE THE CUP. If there is resistance, back out and check the threads. Screw it in by hand as far as you can. Then put the spanner on. Keep turning until you feel some resistance. Put the lock ring on and hand tighten. Once you feel some resistance, check the spindle. There should be no play. Now slip the crankarm on. Spin it to see that it spins freely. You're looking for the point that is not loose, but not dragging either. When you find it, take crank arm off. Hold the spanner with one hand and fully tighten the lock ring with the other. Put the crank arm back on and check for the magic place again. Adjust if necessary.

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Old 03-27-20, 08:46 PM
  #8314  
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How to BB service continued.

Reinstall your crank/arms and you are done! That was time consuming. I believe I will do the headset in the morning. Questions or comments? Please list them so we can go over them.
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Old 03-27-20, 08:56 PM
  #8315  
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Originally Posted by madpogue
looks like i'm not the only one ocd enough to line up the slots of the chainring nuts on a tangent.
I think the reason mine end up like that is that I am holding the nut wrench in line with the spider arm during tightening.

Last edited by seypat; 03-28-20 at 08:42 AM.
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Old 03-28-20, 08:57 AM
  #8316  
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Tribiker, those Conti's are 700c not 27 inch, so they won't fit. Too bad.
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Old 03-28-20, 09:04 AM
  #8317  
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Pasala Panaracers come in 27", or they used to.

Edit: I just noticed there is a 27" thread in the stickies at the top of the page.

Last edited by seypat; 03-28-20 at 10:00 PM.
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Old 03-28-20, 08:12 PM
  #8318  
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Originally Posted by TriBiker19
I'll be PMing you. Thank you, Doc.

I just had my husband reconfirm the wheel size and the tires only have Mitsubishi and Japan on them (they're old enough that strands are popping out of the sidewalls). This is what the rims look like. They say "27 x 1 1/4 w/o Japan". w/o? How can I clean up those rims? Some soap and a green scrub pad?

To clean , you could just use soap and water with a stiff brush not to abrasive go lightly . To polish , you need to know if they are anodized . To find that out get some paste polish and test a spot , if not anodized the rag will turn black and you can polish . If the rag does not turn black , they are anodized so all you can do is scrub . Those ferrules look in very good shape so worth cleaning up either way . Good luck . Mark .
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Old 03-28-20, 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by rccardr
Tribiker, those Conti's are 700c not 27 inch, so they won't fit. Too bad.
Oh bummer!
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Old 03-28-20, 10:34 PM
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Finally, I'm gonna ride tomorrow. Probably 20 miles. The last time I rode I was on my Miami Vice. It was a fantastic ride. To be clear, I'm not saying it was the bike that made it great although I know the Ironman bike wouldn't stop me from having a great ride. I was just having a good day. But on that point, it's Nice to know that when you're on an Ironman, you Can't blame it on the bike if you have a bad ride.
I think I'll ride my Carbon "midnight rider" Ironman tomorrow.
Shout out to markwesti . Glad you made BAIL and welcome back 😁.
Later Ironkids.
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Old 03-29-20, 09:19 AM
  #8321  
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Originally Posted by seypat
How to mechanic BB service continued.

Now to the fixed cup. If the fixed cup is on the bicycle, getting the loose bearings back in is no easy task. Here is how to do it. Lay the bike on it's drive side with the open/adjustable side up. Use a plastic knife or something and grease up the bearing race going in through the top opening. Take the bearings one at a time and push them up through the opening in the fixed cup into the greasy bearing race. Use a screwdriver in the other hand from the top to help guide them into the race. For caged bearings, put them in from the top. Note the correct alignment.


Brave man or not married to be regreasing the BB on a rug inside the house!
Ben
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Old 03-29-20, 09:38 AM
  #8322  
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Originally Posted by xiaoman1
Brave man or not married to be regreasing the BB on a rug inside the house!
Ben
It's actually the front walk in area at my business location. Wholesale business, so looks are not important. It also has plenty of neutral walls for picture backgrounds. Servicing the headset now. I have a commercial floor cleaner and clean the carpets about once a month. Cheaper than renting one in the long run.


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Old 03-29-20, 09:39 AM
  #8323  
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Originally Posted by xiaoman1
Brave man or not married to be regreasing the BB on a rug inside the house!
Ben
It's actually the front office at my business location. Wholesale business, so looks are not important. It also has plenty of neutral walls for picture backgrounds. Servicing the headset now. I have a commercial floor cleaner and clean the carpets about once a month. Cheaper than renting one in the long run.

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Old 03-29-20, 09:54 AM
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Must be nice....
Ben
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Old 03-29-20, 10:00 AM
  #8325  
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Originally Posted by xiaoman1
Brave man or not married to be regreasing the BB on a rug inside the house!
Ben
I have 4 office rooms plus a warehouse. The room behind the window opening is the actual office area. The rest of the rooms are storage/extra rooms. They have bike stuff in them also. It's very nice. I've got to get the main bike room organized, as well as the one with the blue Lejeune.





After the headset servicing, I am working on the Team Miyata and the green Mixte for my son and daughter respectively. They are tired of walking the neighborhood and want to bike instead. I rotate rides on the various bikes. At the moment, I am having to rob parts to get bikes ready for the wife and kids.

Last edited by seypat; 03-29-20 at 10:07 AM.
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