joesch

I have a Masi frame which is NOS and can not screw in the BB.
I know its common that new frames often need (and dont get) BB Tapping and Facing after build.
Would be nice to have a Park Tool Bicycle BTS-1 Bottom Bracket Tapping and Facing Set but they are expensive as are the Right Hand & Left Hand Italian Taps.

Q: Should I have a LBS perform this service or goto a frame builder, I do know a good but slow local builder.

Im not sure how expensive but do know one LBS charges $30 to install a BB and dont believe the subject service is included.

I dont plan on doing another such buildup so cant justify buying the tool. Guess I could buy, use, and flip the tool ?

Looking for advice or suggestions.
TIA

HillRider

What is the frame's threading and what is your bottom bracket's threading and are they the same? If you have an Italian bb and the frame is English threaded or vice-versa that is the problem. If the frame and bb threads are the same type, then chasing and facing are needed. Call the LBS and ask if they can do it and the cost. Not all bike shops are equipped for this service these days.

Crankycrank

Skilled or unskilled can be found at both bike shops and frame specialists. Where are you located? Maybe someone can give a recommendation.

joesch

RE: #2
Yes for sure that would be bad as trying the opposite could/would strip and then probably also need the same procedure.
Masi is Italian and my BB is the same.

joesch

Yes and Im at Richardson TX where the best LBS is Richardson Bike Mart (RBM). They have excellent Mech's.

3alarmer 

.
...running a set of piloted BB taps through an already threaded BB shell is not especially demanding, in terms of the skill level involved. If you are only doing this once, I would look for a bicycle mechanical enterprise that has a set of the appropriate piloted taps and go there for the work. You can buy a set of them yourself from Holland Bike Shop or one of the other European suppliers at about a third of the price of the Park tool version. There are a couple of companies that make and sell them there, like Cyclus. They are good quality and work fine, but will still set you back a couple of hundred dollars, with shipping.

There are now some piloted taps for BB's coming out of Taiwan (on ebay/Amazon), that look like a pretty good deal, but I think they might be only available in a standard (English) threaded version.

Facing is usually only important if you are installing some sort of outboard bearing BB. It's kind of useless if you're just going with a standard, sealed unit BB spindle. But I don't know your plans for this.

HillRider

Not to belabor this, and I know Masi is an Italian name, but the company has been in California for years so it's quite possible the bb is English unless your "NOS" frame is very old.

3alarmer 

...should definitely not presume threading based on the manufacturer's name.
I think "Masi" is one of those brand names that is still being made and sold, as a lower end fixed gear, probably sourced in Taiwan.

joesch

I did not know this and now know more, thanks.
Good old BF thread on this at: https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...h-italian.html

One of the posts claims:

By 93 Bianchi was using English BBs for some American exports with non Campy components. If the frame is Asian made, it is more likely to have an English BB.

Another:

By 93 Bianchi USA was using Pac Rim Suppliers , no longer importing from Italy.
BSC Fixed cup LH Thread. adjustable RH thread

Andrew R Stewart 

Have I missed the OP having confirmed the actual BB threading directions? Finding spec claims is not a bad thing but one measurement is worth a thousand assumptions. Andy

oldbobcat

Masi California built "Italian" frames until it closed shop probably around 1990. Haro has been marketing Masi since perhaps 2000, with frames built in Asia. The Asian Haro frames use BSA threading.