Look what the bicycle fairy brought me today

[Tony Raynor]

all excited about my new addition, a bottecchia 989 made of Columbus slx. Guessing late eighties to mid nineties. Has some patina but still in reasonable condition for its age.

But as we all know, don't always trust the fairies as they left me a stuck seatpost. Oh well, it'll keep me busy trying to get it out.

 

[biggs682]

@Tony Raynor what are you like !!

That will be a speed machine seeing as it's red and Italian

 

[Cycleops]

Might have been more impressed if it was a Botticelli! Seriously a nice bike. Looks like it has been updated a bit with a steerer conversion, shifters and a hollowtech bottom bracket.

 

[Lonestar]

What's the best way to fix the seat post problem? WD 40?

 

[Cycleops]

What's the best way to fix the seat post problem? WD 40?

Plus plenty of prayer and one of these:

 

[byegad]

Erm! I thought I'd mention that they forgot to give you the wheels!

Bit fundamental that.

 

[Tony Raynor]

@byegad they are special invisible fairy wheels that make it go faster

 

[GuyBoden]

What's the best way to fix the seat post problem? WD 40?

Seat Post.

The worst case is when the Aluminium seat post and steel frame chemically bonds together over time, so no amount of "Free it" oil will help.

So I've used caustic soda, or you can carefully cut it out with a hack saw blade.

Caustic soda can easily damage the paint work and can take up to a week.

The Caustic Soda dissolves Aluminium, but not steel.

Caustic Soda can be very dangerous, so take precautions and read up on using caustic soda.

 

[Elybazza61]

One of these might help ;

https://www.direct-powertools.co.uk...oWy_Um-dVT7__j2q6YWUHlQIQV_8xDWRoCoI8QAvD_BwE

 

[biggs682]

One of these might help ;

https://www.direct-powertools.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=13900797&AccID=103701&PGFLngID=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5uTMBRAYEiwA5HxQNizvpxungF7eKbR9v2Ehy2oWy_Um-dVT7__j2q6YWUHlQIQV_8xDWRoCoI8QAvD_BwE

@Elybazza61 you should not let @Tony Raynor loose with one of them

 

[Tony Raynor]

Have removed the seatpost after drilling and then caustic to dissolve the remainder. Also decided to strip part of the rear and the lugs to the chrome. Will do some more over the next month to start and get it built back up.

 

[biggs682]

Well done in getting the post out

 

[stedlocks]

Yeah, well done.....I like it!

For future reference, I've had some success freeing a stuck post with Coca Cola ....bottom bracket out, upside down, and tip the stuff in the seat tube.....leave overnight, then a bit of percussive therapy with a big hammer....but only little taps.

 

[gaijintendo]

No Amount of Free-It-Oil

By @GuyBoden​

The worst is Aluminium and steel,
Chemical bonds

together over time,​

No amount of "Free it" oil will help.

I've used caustic soda,
Or you can carefully cut it with a hack saw blade.
Caustic soda can damage the paint work,

and can take up to a week.
​

Caustic Soda dissolves Aluminium,
Caustic Soda does not dissolve Steel,
Caustic Soda can be very dangerous,
Read up on using caustic soda.​

 

[woodbutcher]

résumé......

hammers pain you;
spanners give cramp;
caustic will stain you;
explosives ain't lawful;
it may NEVER give;
it really is awful
just give up and live.
( with profound apologies to a certain lady)