We have no idea what it was or what it will become.
John Doe No. 438
- Thread starter fsjaak
- Start date
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RRBBO6................Is now complete! :lol:
Ooooooooooohhhhhh Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eyes glued to this one. :shock: .Ive only seen his history,now i get to see it created...Cool..
look what the cat's dragged in...
That patina looks scary... 8)
Good luck and have fun!
That patina looks scary... 8)
Good luck and have fun!
now thats funny
Now its a party!!!!!!
:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
oh yeah! 8) somebody flew in to "spike" the punch bowl! :lol: :lol: this should be alot of fun!Markm said:
Nice oldie. Good thing you saved it, it looks like if it had sat any longer it would have been a wall hanger. That's some pretty gnarly pitting.
Once the forensics unit had finished their work at the site, the remains were sent to the laboratory to begin investigations to determine the true identity of the subject.
The headset is the first area of concentration.
Once opened up, the internal structures revealed interesting details which might be useful clues.
Some Details:
1. Bearings employed in top bearing race are .15625" and still enrobed in grease.
2. Bearings employed in bottom bearing race .09375" and rusted with at least two actually broken.
3. The clip over top of steerer tube indicates that expander bolted bar stem was not used.
4. Curved fork crown flows into fork blades seamlessly.
5. Axle mounting holes are not slotted for easy wheel removal.
We will continue to report points of interest as we progress in the hopes that someone might recognize the subject and contact us.
The headset is the first area of concentration.
Once opened up, the internal structures revealed interesting details which might be useful clues.
Some Details:
1. Bearings employed in top bearing race are .15625" and still enrobed in grease.
2. Bearings employed in bottom bearing race .09375" and rusted with at least two actually broken.
3. The clip over top of steerer tube indicates that expander bolted bar stem was not used.
4. Curved fork crown flows into fork blades seamlessly.
5. Axle mounting holes are not slotted for easy wheel removal.
We will continue to report points of interest as we progress in the hopes that someone might recognize the subject and contact us.
:lol:fsjaak said:
Not the only reason I've got to follow this, but it sums it up nicely.
Although a pretty rare sight these days, this type of bearing assembly was popular with some builders at around the turn of the 20th Century. Basically the bearing cups where inserted into the bottom bracket shell and then the bolts were tightened to prevent the cups from spinning or moving side-to-side. In some circumstances this would allow for some additional adjustment if necessary.
It is also apparent in this photo that only the left crank arm is secured to the spindle by one of those very often frozen and troublesome little cotter bolts.
Since the cotter has been soaking in liberal applications of MMO (Marvel Mystery Oil) for about two weeks, we are able to remove it with a special tool devised in the lab which greatly reduces the chance of buggering the whole thing up and rendering it no longer fit for service. We do not assume that replacements can readily be obtained.
We also take note of the leather dust shield positioned between the bearing cup and the adjuster cone which is also threaded onto the spindle.
Once the cotter is removed, a particularly unique and completely unexpected condition presents itself. The crank arm is not only affixed by cotter, it is also threaded onto the crank spindle with left hand threads cut into the spindle and crank arm! This must be a very costly and labor intensive detail. Someone intends to guarantee that this arm does not turn or loosen with use. This discovery is a "first" for us and we are so thankful that we decided not to use a big ol' rubber mallet on the crank arm to loosen up what we initially assumed to be some resistance due to rust. Indeed, by turning clockwise, it simply spins off the spindle as a nut will from a bolt. Any damage to these elements due to mishandling would definitely become a very serious hindrance when attempting to re-assemble the subject.
To date we have noted at least six distinguishing features of the subject and are still unable to develop theories as to the identity of the form before us.
It is also apparent in this photo that only the left crank arm is secured to the spindle by one of those very often frozen and troublesome little cotter bolts.
Since the cotter has been soaking in liberal applications of MMO (Marvel Mystery Oil) for about two weeks, we are able to remove it with a special tool devised in the lab which greatly reduces the chance of buggering the whole thing up and rendering it no longer fit for service. We do not assume that replacements can readily be obtained.
We also take note of the leather dust shield positioned between the bearing cup and the adjuster cone which is also threaded onto the spindle.
Once the cotter is removed, a particularly unique and completely unexpected condition presents itself. The crank arm is not only affixed by cotter, it is also threaded onto the crank spindle with left hand threads cut into the spindle and crank arm! This must be a very costly and labor intensive detail. Someone intends to guarantee that this arm does not turn or loosen with use. This discovery is a "first" for us and we are so thankful that we decided not to use a big ol' rubber mallet on the crank arm to loosen up what we initially assumed to be some resistance due to rust. Indeed, by turning clockwise, it simply spins off the spindle as a nut will from a bolt. Any damage to these elements due to mishandling would definitely become a very serious hindrance when attempting to re-assemble the subject.
To date we have noted at least six distinguishing features of the subject and are still unable to develop theories as to the identity of the form before us.
We don´t know were it´s coming from, but could be possible to know were it´s going?
CCR
Mouth-Breather
the anticipation has set in
The Plot Thickens
Luckily, the two cinch bolts on the bottom bracket shell were easily removed and remained intact.
Once the bolts had been removed, the bearing cups were easily removed by the usual fashion of lightly applying pressure from the opposite side of the bottom bracket shell forcing the cups out of the shell. With that done another mysterious clue presents itself. The inside of the shell has threads cut in on both sides and yet the cups are not threaded. Given our previous experience with the circumstances surrounding the crank arm assembly, we were puzzled by the lack of threads in the bearing cups but very happy to realize that we had not inadvertently attempted to force the cups, had they been threaded, from the shell which would have been catastrophic.
Q: Had these been replaced with newer, unthreaded cups? Was someone lazy or neglectful during the original build? Did the subject even have threaded cups originally?
Any information leading to the the true identity of the subject would be most appreciated.
Luckily, the two cinch bolts on the bottom bracket shell were easily removed and remained intact.
Once the bolts had been removed, the bearing cups were easily removed by the usual fashion of lightly applying pressure from the opposite side of the bottom bracket shell forcing the cups out of the shell. With that done another mysterious clue presents itself. The inside of the shell has threads cut in on both sides and yet the cups are not threaded. Given our previous experience with the circumstances surrounding the crank arm assembly, we were puzzled by the lack of threads in the bearing cups but very happy to realize that we had not inadvertently attempted to force the cups, had they been threaded, from the shell which would have been catastrophic.
Q: Had these been replaced with newer, unthreaded cups? Was someone lazy or neglectful during the original build? Did the subject even have threaded cups originally?
Any information leading to the the true identity of the subject would be most appreciated.
Only one remaining fixture requires removal. The left side chain adjuster is frozen into dropout and the head of the screw has been broken off. This most likely occurred during previous attempts to adjust or remove the screw. Again this piece has been marinating in MMO for some time and we hope that we might be able to extract it with a good grip of the good old vise-grips.
FAIL!
Well, I guess we weren't too surprised when the remaining portion of the screw broke off flush with the dropout. There had been a hint of movement but it really wasn't going anywhere.
Since then the screw has been drilled out and the hole tapped with 10-32 threads. Good as new.
The forensics people could only note a few more distinguishing marks and scars from old injuries which may turn out to be leads for investigators.
Firstly, the two holes located in the headtube indicate that there had been a headbadge affixed which probably displayed the identity of the original builder.
Next, a serial number, 14971, was discovered stamped into the right side of the seat lug.
Finally, a number of significant dents were found in the seat tube, right seat stay, and top tube which suggested a rough and tumble life.
Having pretty much satisfied ourselves that there remain no other obvious clues as to the identity of our stranger or how he came to this state of condition, we are now ready to begin the reconstruction. Surface preparation of the remains will be next.
FAIL!
Well, I guess we weren't too surprised when the remaining portion of the screw broke off flush with the dropout. There had been a hint of movement but it really wasn't going anywhere.
Since then the screw has been drilled out and the hole tapped with 10-32 threads. Good as new.
The forensics people could only note a few more distinguishing marks and scars from old injuries which may turn out to be leads for investigators.
Firstly, the two holes located in the headtube indicate that there had been a headbadge affixed which probably displayed the identity of the original builder.
Next, a serial number, 14971, was discovered stamped into the right side of the seat lug.
Finally, a number of significant dents were found in the seat tube, right seat stay, and top tube which suggested a rough and tumble life.
Having pretty much satisfied ourselves that there remain no other obvious clues as to the identity of our stranger or how he came to this state of condition, we are now ready to begin the reconstruction. Surface preparation of the remains will be next.
This is one of the coolest build threads in RRBBO6! (IMO) The name is perfect. Where did the #438 come from. Shouldn't it be #14971 ? :wink:
Thanks for the note. The number stamped on frame might eventually lead to the actual identity but until then No.438 represents the number of bodies processed by this office.
