cyrano138

I'm not too familiar with the different kinds of shell sizes, so I'm sorry if this is a dumb question. I have this bottom bracket. A bb7410 and I wasn't planning on using it for this build but it turned out to have the exact 103 mm spindle length that I needed for the right chain line, but as I tried to thread it into the early ages Fuji Monterey frame I realize that it seems slightly too large for that shell. Did I miss something? Is it meant for a bike with a different bottom bracket show? I don't want to force it but it really does not seem like it wants to even get in far enough to reach the threads so they can engage.

cxwrench

You probably need to chase the threads in the frame. If it's english, it's english. It has to fit.

ThermionicScott 

If you're used to steel bottom bracket cups (especially for loose-ball bottom brackets), aluminum cups might feel a little tight. I think since it's a weaker material, they make them a tighter fit.

Davet

Italian threaded bottom bracket? The drive side threads seem to be righty-tighty

cyrano138

It doesn't get far enough in to even get to the threads.

So...just jam it in there with all the strength I can muster? Hear ya loud and clear.

Tried both sides both ways.

Crankycrank

If the BB shell is threaded for English threading and your BB is Italian it won't fit.

cyrano138

Ahhhh. Sounds like that might be the case. Would it say on the bb anywhere?

3alarmer 

...if it's an older production frame, and it's never had a cartridge BB unit in there before (only cup and cone, with a spindle and caged bearings,) sometimes they didn't bother to take back the protruding end of the (usually) seat tube, or (sometimes) down tube. They did this because it was extra work, and because, at the time, it didn't matter.

I haven't run into this often, but on the couple of instances when I did, it was very off putting.

So take a good strong light, and look inside that BB shell, and see if you can figure out what's going on.

Crankycrank

As Davet noted it's the fact that both cups have righty threads indicate it's Italian. English have reverse threads on one cup.

JohnDThompson 

Nope. A Fuji frame will almost certainly have English thread. Either the threads in the shell need to be chased to clear out debris and corrosion, or you have the wrong thread spec cartridge. Are there markings on the cartridge indicating thread spec? English thread should be "1.37 x 24" while Italian thread will be "36 x 24." Dirty or corroded threads in the shell should at least allow the cups to begin to engage the threads. Italian thread is slightly larger diameter than English, and Italian thread cups won't even start to engage in an English thread shell.

cyrano138

Fortunately it's just the wrong threading. Ordered the right kind. Thank you though!

It didn't say on the bottom bracket anywhere, but I checked the threading and it is definitely not reverse threaded on the drive side.
I appreciate the help. I've not had to deal with sealed cartridge bottom brackets very much and almost never with any weird threading.

Bill Kapaun

Just above the bottom of the page has a chart-
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html

IF both cups have the same thread, it's NOT British (std) threading.
BB-7410 comes in Italian threading too.
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...f9ab5&Enum=119

cyrano138

Well, what do you know? It was right there. Not that I would've known what it meant until I started the thread anyway...

3alarmer 

...you should be happy. Ordering a new sealed unit is a lot easier, than trying to cut back the frame tube ends inside a BB shell.

cyrano138

Lordy that sounds like a headache and a nightmare rolled into one.

Only question now is what to do with the Italian BB as I do not have any Italian bikes. It's a bit beat up although the action feels very smooth. I almost wish I had an Italian bike to put it in.

squirtdad

proper answer is N+1 get a new bike

second answer is put it in the the C&V for sale section (need to be a paid member)

cyrano138

I keep hearing the n+1 thing. What's it mean?

I posted it for sale in the single speed/fixed forum since that spindle length is mostly for track bikes I think ..

squirtdad

N+1

Proper number of Bikes to own, where N = the current number of bikes you currently own

cyrano138

Ahhhhhhhhhhh
Unfortunately I only have room in the garage for n bikes. And I can only afford n - 1 of them.

Crankycrank

Sell it. Now is as good a time as ever as prices for used parts are at a premium.

cyrano138

I figured. I posted it in the fixed gear sales forum.
Thanks!

ThermionicScott 

Thank goodness you found the Italian marking first!

When you do get the right unit, 3alarmer 's observation about the BB shell threading may still apply. When installing a Velo-Orange cartridge unit in my '87 Bianchi, I had to file down some of the leading threads on the drive-side cup before it would go in all the way!

cyrano138

Crossing my fingers. I really wish someone still made the old style cup and cone bb's.

dedhed

What happens when you know just enough to be dangerous

cyrano138

Off topic, but what does the "36" mean? I assume the "1.37" means inches, since the 24 is a non-metric threads per inch. But is the 36 for mm? Seems weird to use metric x nonmetric.