Re: [CR] pitted races

(Example: History:Norris Lockley)

Content-class: urn:content-classes:message
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:46:44 -0700
In-Reply-To: <1496664360.1095091271704676368.JavaMail.root@ir-mbox02>
Thread-Topic: [CR] pitted races
Thread-Index: Acrf9Qo6JTGgKBqDQPern3PdOz6VswAM7dag
References: <1496664360.1095091271704676368.JavaMail.root@ir-mbox02>
From: "Mark Bulgier" <Mark@bulgier.net>
To: "Malcolm Garland" <mgarland@ireland.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR] pitted races


Malcolm Garland wrote:
>
> I've a couple of Camy SR pitted races - Is there any point trying new
> bearings in them-or would that make the problem even worse?
>
> Is there anyone outside the US offering a re-grinding service?

New balls won't make a pitted race any better or worse.

Regrinding is a last resort for when new replacement parts aren't available. Replacement cups and cones for NR/SR hubs aren't that hard to find.

If the cones are pitted and the cups aren't (a typical scenario), then all you need are cones, which are relatively easy to find. (and new balls, natch) Save a search in eBay and they'll email you when some come up for auction. Remember to use top-grade balls. They don't have to be Campy; "Grade 25" is a good thing to look for. Cheap balls are a bad way to save money.

Replacement cups are a bit harder to find, but they do come up for sale now and then. Sometimes, to save having to rebuild your wheel, it's worth it to remove good cups from an organ-donor hub to install in the hub that the wheel is built on.

Use the CR archives for descriptions of how to remove and re-install the cups. Some mechanical aptitude is needed to remove the cups -- that's not a standard amateur-mechanic job, but I think most people can handle it if they take the time to look up the instructions, don't rush the job, and have enough hammer-skill to hit a punch (and not miss and hit the hub!) I hope it's needless to say, use safety glasses when hitting a punch (or most anything else for that matter) with a hammer.

Mark Bulgier
Seattle, WA USA