1986 BSA Bottom bracket?

[stuworx]

Hi guys

Newbie here. I have a 86 bsa road bike. Not sure of model but will try upload pics soon.

Whilst I'm riding the left pedal is jumping, missing, clicking. Not too sure what other way to describe it?

I say pedal. Its actually the bb I'm thinking? Does that sound more accurate?

What tool and bb is required?

Forgive me for being vague!

Stuart.

 

[stuworx]

Pic added

 

[originalshinkicker]

Hi Stuart

Sounds and symptoms like this can be a pain to track down if there is no obvious sign of wear. Does that left had crank wobble on the axle - grab the RH side, hold it still and see if the LH crank wobbles; could be a worn cotter pin. If both cranks are tight on the axle with no wobble in the cotter pins, grab both cranks at the ends near the pedals and see if there is any play in the BB bearings. Drop the chain off the chainrings so that the chainset can turn, does it spin smoothly, is there any kind of noise? Do the pedals rotate smoothly? Is there any play on the pedal axles? As you are talking about nearly 30 years old kit, you could have wear in all these areas. If you have a spare set of pedals, swap them over and see how that goes. If the exact same noise/symptons are there then at least that is one thing off the list of suspects.

Old BBs like this may just need some new ball bearings. You could get some proper tools, or just use an adjustable spanner, a hammer, screwdriver/punch.

Sorry for the vague answer but there is no definite answer as this could also be chain/freewheel/rear hub related. Just look systematically, look for anything obvious, look and feel for any obvious play.

Cheers
Neil

 

[BobToo]

I'd say it's almost certainly a worn cotter pin from what you've said. It could be either side, you only feel it on the left crank even if the right one is loose.

 

[keithglos]

Seems like a worn cotter pin. Riding on it will tend to stretch the crank where it goes on the bracket axle.

 

[stuworx]

Thanks guys.

Just done the tests and its the cotter pin.

 

[Bats]

No way that's from 1986 with cotter pins

 

[stuworx]

Tbh I'm just going from what I assume is a date on the sturmey archer hub:

85 9

That leads me to another question.

The gear selector and cables have been removed. What gear would that leave it in?

The bike was a cheap ebay find!

Cheers Stuart.

 

[keithglos]

SA gear will revert to high gear, if you can turn the pedals forward you can see the wheel going faster than the cog.
Keith

 

[corima]

Duff cotter pin or a ball bearing shattered inside the bottom bracket. I've had this and it will still clunk along even though the insides are buggered!