Bottom Bracket Cup Identification and Removal
02-18-20, 09:12 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 19
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Bottom Bracket Cup Identification and Removal
Hi there!
I've watched all Park Tool's Youtube videos and read all Sheldon Brown's articles on bottom bracket ID and removal, but I'm still not sure what bottom bracket I have and what sort of tool I need. The diameter of the cup is 44mm. The cup on each side is individually threaded and they are not connected. The internal edge of the cup has 12 notches. The external edge of the cup is perfectly round and there are no notches.
The only discernible markings on the cup are the letters "VIA".
It's an older Schwinn road bike. Not sure of exact model, as there is a thick new coat of paint covering any markings.
Pictures are below, hope you can help! Thank you!
I've watched all Park Tool's Youtube videos and read all Sheldon Brown's articles on bottom bracket ID and removal, but I'm still not sure what bottom bracket I have and what sort of tool I need. The diameter of the cup is 44mm. The cup on each side is individually threaded and they are not connected. The internal edge of the cup has 12 notches. The external edge of the cup is perfectly round and there are no notches.
The only discernible markings on the cup are the letters "VIA".
It's an older Schwinn road bike. Not sure of exact model, as there is a thick new coat of paint covering any markings.
Pictures are below, hope you can help! Thank you!
02-19-20, 06:08 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ
Posts: 2,837
Bikes: 2016 Fuji Tread, 1983 Trek 520
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Liked 741 Times
in
430 Posts
The photo is a little blurred, but looking through the cup, it looks like an unthreaded shoulder on the other side. Except for the notched hole, it looks a lot like the old pressed-in one-piece crank BB. Can you see threads anywhere?
Have you tried a cassette removal tool in there for fit?
Can you post a photo of the cranks and spindle?
How many speeds is the bike?
Have you tried a cassette removal tool in there for fit?
Can you post a photo of the cranks and spindle?
How many speeds is the bike?
02-19-20, 07:36 AM
#3
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,511
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2746 Post(s)
Liked 3,391 Times
in
2,054 Posts
My guess is it's an old FFS Front Freewheel System setup.
Google "Shimano FFS"
Might need tool #4 or equal.
Shimano Bicycle System Components (1984) page 159
Google "Shimano FFS"
Might need tool #4 or equal.
Shimano Bicycle System Components (1984) page 159
02-19-20, 08:17 AM
#4
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,784
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3587 Post(s)
Liked 3,400 Times
in
1,934 Posts
My guess is it's an old FFS Front Freewheel System setup.
Google "Shimano FFS"
Might need tool #4 or equal.
Shimano Bicycle System Components (1984) page 159
Google "Shimano FFS"
Might need tool #4 or equal.
Shimano Bicycle System Components (1984) page 159
02-19-20, 10:56 AM
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 19
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
My guess is it's an old FFS Front Freewheel System setup.
Google "Shimano FFS"
Might need tool #4 or equal.
Shimano Bicycle System Components (1984) page 159
Google "Shimano FFS"
Might need tool #4 or equal.
Shimano Bicycle System Components (1984) page 159
02-19-20, 11:04 AM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 19
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
02-19-20, 11:22 AM
#7
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,362
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times
in
2,365 Posts
Since the tool in the manual is out of production, do you think this FR-5 from Park Tool would do the trick? : https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...xoCxPIQAvD_BwE
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
02-19-20, 11:26 AM
#9
Senior Member
No. The splines are wrong. The Shimano TL-FW20 is the only tool that will work. You might try Sheldon Brown's bolt method could be a work around
02-19-20, 11:43 AM
#10
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,784
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3587 Post(s)
Liked 3,400 Times
in
1,934 Posts
Since the tool in the manual is out of production, do you think this FR-5 from Park Tool would do the trick? : https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...xoCxPIQAvD_BwE
No. The splines are wrong. The Shimano TL-FW20 is the only tool that will work. You might try Sheldon Brown's bolt method could be a work around
02-19-20, 11:48 AM
#11
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,784
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3587 Post(s)
Liked 3,400 Times
in
1,934 Posts
If the proper tool is the Shimano TL-FW20, then the repro Kengine FR-04 may work THis tool claims to "compare" to the TL-FW20 and to work on FFS. I bought one a while back for a very old (late 70s) Shimano freewheel that the typical Park tool would not fit.
That one looks right, and the price can't be beat.
02-19-20, 03:52 PM
#12
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,511
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2746 Post(s)
Liked 3,391 Times
in
2,054 Posts
Personally, first I'd get a piece of flat steel bar stock and grind until it fits in a couple of the splines and try to turn (the correct direction) the flat stock with an adjustable wrench on it.
Or maybe a cold chisel that fits and turn that.
Or maybe a cold chisel that fits and turn that.
