raleigh flyer situation

Howdy, this is my first post on this forum, but i reckon it will be the first of many... See im absolutly rubbish at fixing things, i was about 15 till i learnt to tie my shoes (slightly exagerrating), etc... Ive decided cause im skint that id rather start beingable to fix my bike rather than pay 100 odd pounds at the bike shop every time i need a repair. Plus im 34 and got kids and maybe they will respect me more if they can see i can fix things like men of my dads generation could do....

Anyways the problem this time is that when im pedalling the crank makes a horrible scaping sound, so i think the bearings in the bottom bracket have gone.

So my first question would be - what model of bike is it ive got - ive looked through this forum and it looks similiar to a 1987 version of the raleigh flyer but im not sure.

Secondly - what type of bottom bracket parts would i need to buy?

Third - what tools will i need to do the whole job, from taking the pedals off to replacing the bearings and putting it all back together...

Sorry to be a nusicance on this fine day!

Well, first welcome to the site.

It looks like a cotterless crank set up so your first task is to remove the cranks. There are probably threads in the cranks behind the covers. A simple extractor screws into these threads. The inner part of the extractor then does up against the end of the bottom bracket axle and after remembering which way each side unscrews, the crank is pushed/pulled off.

You will probably then see the ends of an old cup and cone bottom bracket. The non chainring side may have a lock ring on it that will undo with a large screwdriver and a little 'nudging' with a hammer. There are also specialist tools that you can pick up of here or ebay fairly cheaply.

What will you see then? Who knows! The most common type will require a flat wrench with two pins or studs that engage the holes on the non-fixed cup. That will hopefully now have removed the one side assuming nothing is too corroded!

The other side? Again several options exist. Think of a circle with to opposite edged shaved off. There is a wrench to cope with these but other options exist.

You will then need to inspect the cup and cone surfaces for pitting and other general nastiness. Assume you will need to fit new bearings and possible a whole new bottom bracket. Check the Sheldon Brown website for axle lengths and other useful stuff.

Many people prefer the fit and forget nature of sealed unit bottom brackets.

Here's a YouTube video that will explain all including the tools and options.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXQA4kNmhPA

Yours will have screw on dust caps