[CR]Converting a 36H lo-fl QR Campi NR hub from 120 to 126MM, fixing bad hub races?

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme)

To: Dale Brown <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Jon Spangler" <hudsonspangler@earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 17:38:36 -0800
Subject: [CR]Converting a 36H lo-fl QR Campi NR hub from 120 to 126MM, fixing bad hub races?

Folks,

I just bought a used 36H Campi NR lo-fl hub (mid-1970s?) with a 120MM axle. I want to convert it to a 6-speed and a 126MM axle, and Dennis Stone at Stone's Cyclery here in Alameda recommends cutting down one of the Wheels manufacturing (www.wheelsmfg.com) 141MM axles to accomplish this. He says it is a stronger axle and will work better.

Has anyone out in CR land used one of the Wheels manufacturing axles for this kind of conversion? Do you have any recommendations on how to cut it down?

(For example, should I trim the length equally from both ends, or using some other method to shorten the axle to 126MM?)

This "new" hub is to replace one of my original mid-1970s NR lo-fl hubs (also 36H) that apparently has slightly deformed/no longer parallel races.

I understand that Campi NR hub races can be replaced, but have heard that the job is also a pain in the %#! What can I do to salvage this hub, which has a small and noticeable irregularity in its bearing smoothness? (I rode it for years this way, but would like to repair it if it's a reasonable and/or worthwhile task.) Can I swap out the axle from the hub with the "bad races" and use it successfully in my "new" used hub?

Any suggestions for artistic or other re-use of an old Campi hub shell?

Where can I find Campi NR-compatible cones, spacers, races, or other parts that would fit these hubs? (Normandy Luxe parts used to fit, but those are as scarce as Campi parts now...)

Thanks in advance for any and all assistance i=with my recycling/ reuse/conversion project(s).

Jon Spangler
third-posting-and-I'm-out
in damp Alameda, CA USA