I felt it was necessary to respond to this thread based on some of the responses. Like most service and/or repair, the proper tools make all the difference, and there are lots of specialty tools out there, especially for bicycles. VAR makes a kit specifically for this type of problem and repair. It consists of a number of pieces, typical of a tool system for a complex repair (which in this case is usually necessary with the crank still on the BB spindle). First is a pilot that threads into the BB spindle (three types are in the kit; bolt, nut and splined types) followed by a (bottom) tap that fits over that pilot and cuts new 24x1.5 mm threads into the crank arm. Next is a special sized 24x1.5 crank arm puller that works like similar and common pullers. Included in the kit (and available separately since they go with the crank) are new bolts and oversized dust caps (the type where the cap leaves exposed the 8mm hex bolt head). Of course, you could just eliminate the dust caps altogether, which is no big deal and something lots of race mechanics did anyway back in the day. You'd need the special puller each time the crank arm needs to be removed, of course. The kit is not inexpensive (what good tools are?), as retail cost is about $160.
I don't have any of these at the moment, but I'm putting together a VAR order including a kit for my shop. If there is any interest let me know.
Wayne
-- Wayne Bingham Velo Classique PO Box 2069 Purcellville, VA 20134 USA 540-338-8376 http://www.veloclassique.com
From: donald gillies <gillies@ece.ubc.ca> Date: Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 10:19 PM Subject: [CR] Enlarging 22mm to 23.15mm crank threads? To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
I have some un-mated stronglight 93 right arms (165 and 170mm), and I'd like to buy some generic left crank arms, but i'd still like to have a matching crank set. Is it difficult, or does anyone offer a service to increase the threading from 22mm to 23.15mm so that my 2 crank arms can be matched, i can polish and maybe reshape the left arm, put stronglight caps into both arms, etc., and sort of have a pseudo-matching crank set ?? I'm just curious, thanks.
- Don Gillies