m520'S are a no fit :-(

[Angelfishsolo]

I'm not sure if this will help or hinder you in helping me, but I have uploaded these pictures of the crank and BB. The crank arm is 175mm with (I believe) a 110mm axle length.

Bottom Bracket

One Piece Crank

The pictures are of my bikes twin which I have been stripping for parts to keep the other on the road BTW.

 

[jimboalee]

Typical Septics, have to do things different.

Trust me, I worked for Ford.

 

[PpPete]

Before you start messing with the bottom bracket - have you got close to you an engineering workshop - or even an old -style garage that could drill out the existing cranks and re tap them for 9/16" ?
Make sure you tell them left hand crank is left hand thread though....

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Well I talked to my local mechanic and he only has access to metric tap and dye kit and only right handed. I will ask around more though. I am just considering all options at the mo. Thanks very much for the lateral thinking advice.

Before you start messing with the bottom bracket - have you got close to you an engineering workshop - or even an old -style garage that could drill out the existing cranks and re tap them for 9/16" ?
Make sure you tell them left hand crank is left hand thread though....

 

[Landslide]

Yup, that's a one-piec crank that'll definitely need pedals with 1/2" thread. I've never before considered the possibility of drilling and re-tapping, but I'd be wary of going down this route, as there's not a lot of metal to play with (the LHS of the crank has to be thin so that the BB cones can slide on over it).
As far as the axle width goes, there's two measurements to consider. The first is the distance between the bearings. Double-check, but the BB kit I linked to earlier should fit the BB shell OK.
The second measurement is the overall length of the axle - this is the dimension that will govern whether or not it will be suited to a given pair of cranks (i.e. will put the cranks in the correct position so that all the chainrings can be used by the front gear mech, and also so that they don't hit the frame when they revolve).

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Have talked over the tapping option with an "old school mechanic" had have been convinced that it is a bad idea as the amount of torque that will be applied to the pedals will almost certainly result in them parting company with the crank arms.

 

[fossyant]

Might have to get a more modern crank set....makes sence in the long run and they needen't cost a fortune - get web searching for old stock !

 

[Angelfishsolo]

That's what I am doing. However I do need to weigh expenditure against the value of the actual bike which is negligible at best

Might have to get a more modern crank set....makes sence in the long run and they needen't cost a fortune - get web searching for old stock !

 

[Sittingduck]

Sounds like you'll be in the market for a shiny new steed soon AFS
I had been looking at cheapish cranksets and BB's recently due to the rebuild of my old MTB I have sat here (the project is going nowhere atm). You could probably get both parts for maybe £35-£40?

You must have been well gutted when you couldnt get the M520's to screw in

 

[Danny]

That's what I am doing. However I do need to weigh expenditure against the value of the actual bike which is negligible at best

Generally I am hugely in favour of keeping old bikes on the road. The bike I use daily is now well over 20 years old and has had just about every part replaced at some point.

However I wouldn't spend a penny trying to upgrade a 1990s Apollo. I once bought one for my son and they had rubbish components which were simply not designed to be easily upgraded.

A cheap second hand bike, or a frame, from a proper bike manufacturer who be a much better starting point for an upgrade project.

 

[fossyant]

That's what I am doing... However I do need to weigh expenditure against the value of the actual bike which is negligible at best

Erm.. that's bike riding - you have been got...

 

[fossyant]

If your frames are horizontal drop outs, despite condition, you'll probably make a mint on ebay - this fixie lark has gone mad....... and attracting silly prices........

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Well news is not so bad. I have talked to my LBS and they can do a conversion for me for £55 - That will also give me a triple chain-ring at the front. Hopefully he can fit the bike in sometime next week. Feel quite a bit better now.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Sorry what is a Horizontal drop out? Excuse ignorance

If your frames are horizontal drop outs, despite condition, you'll probably make a mint on ebay - this fixie lark has gone mad....... and attracting silly prices........

 

[Landslide]

A hippy having a nap.