[CR]Removing pressed-in Atom Dustcap?

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2007)

Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:37:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <AB4300576E9D46B8B129B3A6FF52CF22@DELL>
Subject: [CR]Removing pressed-in Atom Dustcap?

Does anyone have a trick for removing the pressed-in dustcaps on late 60's/ Early 70's Atom pedals? These were rattrap pedals with a domed pressed-in dustcap with no wrench purchase, allen recess or slot of any kind. The pair I am currently struggling with is on the 1973 Schwinn Sports Tourer I'm currently trying to rebuild, but the 1972 Super Sport next on the project list seems to have identical pedals. They are marked Schwinn-Approved, but also Atom. These also appeared on early 70's Raleighs, including the Super Tourer, the Grand Sport, and some versions of the Competition.

The cap doesn't have much of a lip, and one can only get the blade of a very small screwdriver under it and it's hard to get enough leverage to pry the cap off. Some will no doubt say these pedals weren't designed to be serviced, but I' pretty sure they can be rebuilt if one can just get the damn cap off. In fact I think I've done so, perhaps one one of the Raleigh models I spoke of. Maybe I was just lucky to have a pair with loose caps.

So any suggestion? I could probably drill or slot the cap to get it off, but then I don't know where I'd get replacement dustcaps.

Regards,

Jerry Moos, Big Spring, Texas, USA