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Post by brianbutler on Oct 19, 2023 14:10:11 GMT
Last month I finally retrieved a $10 Facebook-acquired Aerospace GP frame from my daughter, who picked it up for me near her home in Connecticut. This morning I knocked out the bottom bracket and replaced it with fresh bearings using the Wheelson Hack. To recap, this technique involves replacing the Viscount spindle with a spindle salvaged from a cartridge bottom bracket. In this case I used a 122mm symmetrical spindle from a Sunlite cartridge BB.
The tweak is to insert 1mm copper crush washers between the inside surface of the new bearings and the shoulder of the spindle. The width between outside shoulder surfaces is 42mm, each bearing is 10mm wide, and the BB shell is 68mm, so I inserted three washers on each side of the spindle, thus bringing the total width between outside bearing surfaces to 68mm, a perfect fit.
This makes it easier and more systematic to center the spindle. I used the following washers from Amazon:
Brian
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Oct 19, 2023 17:13:03 GMT
Brian and John, this is cool stuff as I love improvised solutions. I think I have figured it out; nevertheless, a picture would be most welcome.
All the Best Jim
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Post by brianbutler on Oct 19, 2023 20:15:53 GMT
I was going to take some pictures but then got engrossed in the process. When it was finished I realized everything was inside the BB shell and not visible. And not easy to remove. Duh.
Here is another spindle with the washers and bearings in their relative positions. First I pressed the bearing and three washers onto one end of the spindle, up against the shoulder. Then I pressed that end into the BB shell with the spindle passing through the shell. Next I pressed the other washers and bearing onto the spindle and into the BB shell simultaneously. This is where the "packed" sandwiches of washers is useful. It prevents the bearings from moving along the spindle while pressing so the end result is perfectly centered, and makes it easier to support the workpiece during pressing.
Brian
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Oct 19, 2023 21:45:51 GMT
Excellent! Thanks Brian!
Cheers Jim
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Post by wheelson on Oct 19, 2023 22:42:39 GMT
Excellent work, Brian! I’m quite pleased to see the old hack has survived and is being used. I’ll try your tweak when I build the pseudo Supa over the off season.
Best,
John “wheelson”
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Post by brianbutler on Oct 19, 2023 23:54:41 GMT
The hack really is superior to using the original spindle. I always worry about the Viscount spindle breaking at the circlip groove. Also, finding the right circlip can be challenging and in the US the non-standard threading for the crank bolts (5/16 BSF, I believe) makes bolts and taps hard to find. For $15, you can buy a new cartridge BB and salvage the spindle. I am sure it would be easy to find a free one on a bike at the dump.
Brian
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390 
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Post by Jem on Oct 20, 2023 7:34:07 GMT
Brian - I think there will be many people thanking you for this post. I guess that maybe 50% of new people arriving here to this forum have questions about the BB on an Aerospace, and this is going to be the 'go-to' method to get them back on the road.
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Oct 20, 2023 15:25:37 GMT
Brian - I think there will be many people thanking you for this post. I guess that maybe 50% of new people arriving here to this forum have questions about the BB on an Aerospace, and this is going to be the 'go-to' method to get them back on the road. I agree, this most likely is the best and most cost effective solution for the BB problem. I plan to use it on my next Viscount build.
All the Best Jim
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Post by triitout on Oct 21, 2023 2:18:52 GMT
Nice! Even a rudimentary mechanic like myself would give this a go. Thanks for doing the proof of concept leg work Brian!
One question for all. What's the best way to disassemble the unit to free up the axle?
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Post by brianbutler on Oct 21, 2023 11:20:54 GMT
Nice! Even a rudimentary mechanic like myself would give this a go. Thanks for doing the proof of concept leg work Brian! One question for all. What's the best way to disassemble the unit to free up the axle? All the parts in the cartridge BB are press-fitted so you need to "unpress" them. The crudest technique would be a hammer. Use a block of wood to protect the spindle ends during all hammer blows. Basically, support the outside part between the jaws of a vise (or on the edge of your kitchen counter) and strike the end of the spindle. Something will come apart, either the spindle by itself or, more likely, the spindle and one of the bearings. Follow the same procedure to knock the spindle out of the bearing.
I used an inexpensive arbor press from Harbor Freight to do this procedure in a more controlled manner. It is also a handy tool for assembling your new BB and pressing it into the frame.
Brian
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Post by brianbutler on Oct 21, 2023 14:34:29 GMT
Here is a tutorial on disassembling a Shimano cartridge BB. For reasons explained at the end, I think the Sunlite BB is a better choice:
Cartridge BB before disassembly
Slide off the left side bracket by hand.
Hang the cartridge in a vise (or pipe) and hammer out the spindle. Use a brass mallet or a piece of wood to protect the end of the spindle.
Support the cartridge on the opposite bearing and hammer the spindle far enough to release one of the bearings and dust sleeve.
Knock the spindle through the other bearing to finish the disassembly.
I think the Sunlite cartridge (bottom) is better for this purpose than the Shimano (top) because the Sunlite has bearing "shoulders" on both sides, making it possible to achieve a perfect fit using washers. If using the Shimano, press the righthand washers and bearing onto the spindle, using the shoulder as a stop. Then press this assembly into the BB shell. Finally, press the lefthand bearing onto the spindle and into the frame simultaneously. Without the lefthand stop, it is important to stop pressing when the bearing is flush with the BB shell. The Shimano also costs more and we are only using the spindle.
Brian
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Post by wheelson on Oct 21, 2023 15:02:31 GMT
I’m totally impressed with Brian’s work in refining and documenting the original Wheelson Hack. Being the “wheelson” in this project, I hereby open the floor for an appropriate rename as in “Wheelson - Hack”. Credit where credit is due.
I’m extremely happy that the original idea has achieved such acceptance that it lives on, is being refined, and now looks to be the most viable alternative to the original vs. tapping to Italian threads.
Best,
John “wheelson”
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Post by triitout on Oct 21, 2023 15:15:53 GMT
Great instructions Brian! New names to think about: Wheelbut hack or Butwheel hack.   Oh My! |
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Post by brianbutler on Oct 21, 2023 15:42:44 GMT
But no. The spindle should remain the Wheelson Hack, but serendipitously it is also the Wheelson BB Hack. I have a hack of my own involving cables for the '39 Raleigh that I will describe next week if it works.
BB
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Oct 21, 2023 16:47:14 GMT
I think it's possible to 'fix' this post to the top of the section, (with appropriate credit ) and then when people Google 'how to replace Viscount BB' or some such thing, they will get this to come up. I don't know the exact proportion of 'guests' who arrive at the forum seeking this, but I often see between 5-15 guests without accounts browsing the forum.
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Post by brianbutler on Oct 21, 2023 19:39:22 GMT
I think it's possible to 'fix' this post to the top of the section, (with appropriate credit ) and then when people Google 'how to replace Viscount BB' or some such thing, they will get this to come up. I don't know the exact proportion of 'guests' who arrive at the forum seeking this, but I often see between 5-15 guests without accounts browsing the forum. In that case I think needs some editing. It should describe and show the entire process of removing the original BB, sourcing the necessary bearings and cartridge, preparing and installing the new BB. Let me think about that. Unfortunately I don't have an original BB still installed in a frame. There are variations in procedures depending on available tools.
Jim has a very good write-up with pictures on pressing the BB into the frame using a bench-mounted arbor press.
Brian
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Oct 21, 2023 20:03:15 GMT
I think it's possible to 'fix' this post to the top of the section, (with appropriate credit ) and then when people Google 'how to replace Viscount BB' or some such thing, they will get this to come up. I don't know the exact proportion of 'guests' who arrive at the forum seeking this, but I often see between 5-15 guests without accounts browsing the forum. In that case I think needs some editing. It should describe and show the entire process of removing the original BB, sourcing the necessary bearings and cartridge, preparing and installing the new BB. Let me think about that. Unfortunately I don't have an original BB still installed in a frame. There are variations in procedures depending on available tools.
Jim has a very good write-up with pictures on pressing the BB into the frame using a bench-mounted arbor press.
Brian
No rush Brian - I will 'round-up' the relevant posts when all is in place, and then try and get them 'stuck' or highlighted where those who've been here for a while, and those just landing on the site, can find them easily. |
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Post by brianbutler on Oct 25, 2023 13:04:28 GMT
The Wheelson Hack is a durable solution. I have been using it on my Aerospace GP single speed all year and have logged over 3300 miles on that bike. Even without the "tweak", the bearings have remained in position and the BB is working smoothly.
Brian
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Post by wheelson on Oct 26, 2023 22:08:35 GMT
That’s good to know, Brian. I probably have less than 1000 miles on my blue Viscount Aerospace which is the only one I have outfitted with the Hack. Two other Viscounts have been tapped to Italian threading, but are set up with sealed bearings and Ti cups. The pseudo Supa will get the full Wheelson BB Hack, and the little Lambert has stock English threading, but will use sealed bearings and cups from a vintage Suntour sealed bb unit. But that’s another story.
Best,
John “wheelson”
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Oh My!