[CR]Margherita Pt.2 - a change of plan

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme)

From: "swampmtn" <swampmtn@siscom.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2000 14:43:56 -0500
Subject: [CR]Margherita Pt.2 - a change of plan

A Change of Plan

I was up until 2AM, thinking about the arrangement of the Margherita. Ken had mentioned that it was more appropriate for a 1946 bike, and I remember reading that there was a 5-speed version after the war. I re-examined the spacing of the shifting fingers, and yes... there's enough room to use a 5-speed freewheel. I replaced the 3-speed with the only available unit, 14-18 Regina Corsa.

Now I needed to adjust the chain length, and while doing so discovered I'd been using a Sedisport chain. Perhaps it's low profile and extreme flexibility were causing the problems at the pulley, so I replaced it with a Regina Corsa black chain, and removed the pulley (carefully this time!).

I replaced the Vitt pulley with a toothed Campy nylon pulley, hoping it might help pick the chain up correctly. At the same time, I decided on a field modification to the chain retainer... it's horseshoe shape is too wide, allowing the chain to jam between pulley and retainer. There's a handy hole at the bottom, so I'll machine a smaller horseshoe to fit inside the existing one, and anchor it in place with a screw through that bottom hole.

The roadtest will have to wait until tomorrow.

Aldo Ross