Removing a crank... et c... Huzzah, Victory over the bottom bracket.

[Punkawallah]

View attachment 826080

Finally got the b*gg*r off.

I had a great deal of assistance from one of my clients who is a retired marine engineer: this was very helpful because I didn't really know what I was doing, but he'd been doing this sort of thing for 40 odd years, so he could tell me what was going to work and what wasn't, which really helped.

As an added bonus, he has a massive stock of stories which he tells very well, like removing a 6m diameter 5 tonne flywheel that was rusted onto a spindle in the bowels of a ship. It took a bit longer than this did.

Next step, the bottom bracket, and then the real challenge: the seat post...

Hurrah!

 

[VinSumRox]

View attachment 826080

Finally got the b*gg*r off.

I had a great deal of assistance from one of my clients who is a retired marine engineer: this was very helpful because I didn't really know what I was doing, but he'd been doing this sort of thing for 40 odd years, so he could tell me what was going to work and what wasn't, which really helped.

As an added bonus, he has a massive stock of stories which he tells very well, like removing a 6m diameter 5 tonne flywheel that was rusted onto a spindle in the bowels of a ship. It took a bit longer than this did.

Next step, the bottom bracket, and then the real challenge: the seat post...

Is the frame worth the effort?

 

[Punkawallah]

Is the frame worth the effort?

What ‘effort’? This is all ‘entertainment’.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Is the frame worth the effort?

I've been looking for one like this for some time: a lugged chromoly frame for 28" wheels, with vertical dropouts and bosses suitable for V-Brakes. If I manage to liberate the BB and saddle post I'm getting it altered for bottom bar levers.

 

[oldandslow]

Did you confirm what actually shifted it?

 

[Andy in Germany]

Did you confirm what actually shifted it?

This, with the assistance of an engineer who knew what he was doing, giving reassurance that I wasn't about to break anything...

 

[oldandslow]

Thanks for the feedback. It's always nice to close the loop on these problems.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Today was Bottom Bracket removal day:

Followed by liberal use of a hammer:

One of my lads referred to it as "the subtle English method..."

What do you think: could I use it again after refurbishing the frame?

I attempted to use soda on the stuck seatpost: with two applications over four hours it hasn't made any difference. I wasn't entirely surprised by this. I'll get the drain cleaner and try again, but I wanted to try the less dangerous method first...

 

[Ming the Merciless]

What do you think: could I use it again after refurbishing the frame?

New bearings and some gaffa tape. Will be good as new