[CR]Threading Simplex drop-outs

(Example: Framebuilding:Restoration)

Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 08:11:36 -0500
From: "HM & SS Sachs" <sachs@erols.com>
To: classicrendezvous <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, Mark Bulgier <mark@bulgier.net>
Subject: [CR]Threading Simplex drop-outs

Mark Bulgier wrote, as an aside on his free PX-10, that it has <snip> "Simplex dropouts not threaded for derailleur (so Simplex rears only unless you want to modify it)."

Some one long ago showed me that careful use of a plumber's tapered tap (1/4" ??) works well enough for this application (although I since bought a proper 10 mm tap). Pitch is close enough, given that only about 2 - 3 threads are engaged, but you have to be careful not to enlarge the hole too much. A Dremel or similar tool works to hack the dropout and leave the lip for the Campy/Shimano/everyone else stop.

Obviously, one doensn't do this kind of brutal aggression on a Singer, Herse, or other work of beauty, but my conscience is clean wrt PX-10s in poor condition.

harvey "scrounge" sachs
mcLean va