Re: [CR]the deadly NR crankarm crack/ longest lasting grease

(Example: Production Builders)

Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2005 20:23:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Dale B. Phelps" <losgatos_dale@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]the deadly NR crankarm crack/ longest lasting grease
To: john@os2.dhs.org
In-Reply-To: <432E2A9E.4000005@new.rr.com>
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

John Thompson <JohnThompson@new.rr.com> wrote:Patrick Lay wrote:
> Hello to all..I recently purchased and overhauled a nice 70s Paramount
> which, from the evidence at hand. had been restored and promptly
> warehoused for years in less than ideal conditions. The Campy BB grease
> had been reduced to a clay-like substance and was very hard to clean out
> of the bearings. I had so much trouble cleaning the cage on the fixed
> cup side before reloading it with new balls that I tossed the adjustable
> cup bearing assembly into the someday box and filled the cup race with
> loose bearings. What is the best grease to use for longevity and
> stability as well as effectiveness to avoid having it dry up every few
> years?

The best way to prevent this is to take the bike out for a spin every now and then!
> I also found the two feared tiny cracks on both sides of the
> crankarm spider, I tried to file them away but one had progressed beyond
> the practical range of the file. So not only do I need a crankset, but
> it occured to me to ask if the crack will cause catastropic failure
> without warning or if it will grow slowly before the inevitable happens
> and allow me to use it on an occasional use bike.

Alas, unlike steel, aluminum tends to fail suddenly and catastrophically.

-- John (john@os2.dhs.org) Appleton WI USA _______________________________________________

Dale B. Phelps, 303 939 6967 303 208 8664 pager

"Never be afraid to try something new. The Ark was designed by amateurs. The Titanic was designed by professionals." - R. Buckminister Fuller

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