Orange Clockwork Project. Questions.

[Paul-Robson]

Hi all. I'm about to embarc on a project to bring an early clockwork back to life. Questions:

1. Does anyone have any idea what size of bottom bracket I should be ordering for it, as I'm not sure exactly what to measure.

2. whats the best way of getting the headset bearing seats out as mine are well seized in top and bottom?

3. Is it possible to get a set of modern sus foks with 1" steerer and have the steerer cut and threaded to fit the clockwork?

4. What to do with the brakes, upgrade to disks or stick a set of Magura vbrakes on?

Any other tips , links that may help me on the project would be great.

I'll get some photos up soon.

Cheers
Paul.

 

[stevet1]

Hi all. I'm about to embarc on a project to bring an early clockwork back to life.

Cool

1. Does anyone have any idea what size of bottom bracket I should be ordering for it, as I'm not sure exactly what to measure.

depends on which cranks your fitting rather than the frame.

2. whats the best way of getting the headset bearing seats out as mine are well seized in top and bottom?

I use an old steerer tube and a lump hammer.

3. Is it possible to get a set of modern sus foks with 1" steerer and have the steerer cut and threaded to fit the clockwork?

Marzocchi still make 1" forks, not sure if they're threaded though. Second hand forks come up fairly regular in the classifieds.

4. What to do with the brakes, upgrade to disks or stick a set of Magura vbrakes on?

I doubt a clockwork frame would handle discs, the seatstays are quite thin. For true retro feel a well set up set of cantis works best and looks .

Any other tips , links that may help me on the project would be great.

You'll need some patience waiting for the right bits to come along at a decent price.

 

[Huntso]

1 You need to get a BB that fits in the shell, 68mm iirc and then the axle length depends on the Cranks you use

2 Degreaser or if needed try something like Plusgas

3 You can get modern forks, Marzocchi do the MXC with a 1in steerer and I think Magura do as well. You would need to change the headset to Ahead. easily done, just buy a 1in Headset and knock the old cups out. That would save doing any work on question 2
One other point to remember is that the frame won't be corrected for a suspension fork and anything over about 60mm will throw the angles out a bit, probably be ok up to about 80mm, but not sure

4 Discs are not a good idea even if you did get a disc tab welded on, the frame isn't designed for that sort of stress. Just use V brakes or to be original some cantis

 

[Huntso]

Looks like I have duplicated Steve's comments exactly, great minds etc

On question 2 I thought you meant the bearings themselves. I have also used a socket on an extnsion to get the cups out and other times a piece of correctly sized dowel.

 

[jimihendrix]

I'm far from an expert on this stuff but i'll try an answer anyway

Bottom bracket shell width on the Clockwork frame is 68mm, axle width of the bottom bracket will depend on the cranks you intend to use, i have used a Shimano UN-71 bottom bracket with a 110mm axle width, this seems fine with the STX five arm cranks i intend to use but it was also fine with the modern FSA four arm cranks i also have.

The headset bearing cups need to be drifted out, if you feel the cup inside the head tube there will be an edge, hit this edge with a decent drift (inserting the drift through the head tube) and the cups should knock out.

Modern suspension forks with a 1" threaded steerer ?, i'd say no, 1".1/8" A-head has been standard size for years now, best bet is finding a good second hand set of 1" forks and you will make life easier for yourself if you use an A-head set and plain steerer forks, this is what i did with mine as i gave up trying to find 1" forks with the right length of threaded steerer (though my frame is a 17" with a very short head tube.

Discs are posible but if it's an early Clockwork it'd be a bit of a crime TBH, better bet would be the Maguras or V-brakes (Maguras are not technicaly refered to as V-brakes)

Seat post diameter is 26.8 on an early Clockwork if you need to know that too

Best bet for parts is the for sale section on this site , though i bought a 1" FSA A-head set from Chain Reaction.

Hope this helps.

[EDIT] There were no replies to this post when i started typing it :shock: , Man, i am slow at typing [EDIT]

 

[development_cycle]

My first thought when I wanted to give my old bike a new lease of life was to fit a load of new stuff on it!!

Aftre several months of watching what goes on on this site, I am much happier looking for good condition or unused stuff from the same era though.

That's how to properly rekindle your love for the old girl (the bike, the bike!).

I have seen a Clockwork on here with some Pace RC35's fitted and they look the business.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do, and if you need advice, you have come to the right place.

 

[cherrybomb]

I think you've had your questions answered really, but I'll just add my bit anyway..........

Forks: Go for some Pace RC35s (they'll be a better length for the frame than a new fork), are honestly THE suspension fork to have on a Clockwork and you should get a real nice pair for less than a new fork. Justbackdated on here should be able to sort you out a steerer for them in 1" as well along with any service parts.

Maguras would work well for brakes rather than V's and although I'm not as certain as others on whether the frame could take them, I think the amount of work involved in fitting disks probably isn't worth the effort unless you REALLY have to have them.