Wanted: Crank puller for obscure size cranks

So, my beat up old Viking has some hideous but perfectly functional Solida branded cranks (Made in France), and I've worn out my bottom bracket.
I don't have a ton of BB tools, so I took it to my LBS to see what they could do. Only problem is, all the crank pullers they had were way too small for my cranks, and they didn't know of anyone who might have the tool, although they suggested I might try workshops that deal with old mopeds, of which there are none around here. (I'm in the middle of rural England...)
A quick search of the forum reveals that such a tool possibly exists. Does anyone know if it's the French TA fitting crank puller I need, or something else? If so, do you have one I could borrow, or a place I could buy one for less than the value of my bike? :)

had to get an obscure french crank arm remover to remove these nice tevano cranks i have and it took me bloody ages to find a shop that had the tool, might have to do what i did and just check all the bike shops, couldnt find one online (and didnt wanna wait) and none of the shops had the tool for sale.

There seems to be some discussion on the wider internet about what tool is needed, most people suggesting I need the Stronglight puller, not the TA one.

I think that's what I'm going to do, just ask everywhere I can until I find one. I need this bike to be functional as it's the one I use to go places when there are hills.

The TA & Stronglight ones don't differ by much. You could get away with the TA, but you do run the risk of stripping the thread.

Buy yourself a vernier gauge and measure the diameter to be sure...

Ebay is your best bet - The only other places you might find them are jumbles.

I've seen a couple on eBay, but they're pretty pricey. Considering that I might be looking at wrecked bottom bracket threads in the frame, I'm pretty reluctant to spend so much on a tool when the whole frame might be pretty much scrap anyway. I mean, if I can't find one anywhere else, I'll go for it, but it's a lot of cash for a tool I'll likely use only once. (I'm pretty sure a replacement BB will outlast the frame...)

You can normally sell them on for whatever you buy them for.

True, true, but there's a fair bit of hassle in that. Plus, I tend to hoard obscure tools in the knowledge that if I don't, and need it again, I'll have to track another one down.

Okay, so after more research, it's definitely the Stronglight one. However, I'm seriously thinking that the total cost of this repair is likely going to come out at more than just buying another similar quality frame with a new BB in. Thoughts?

Stronglight BB extractor tool = 23.35mm diametre thread
TA BB extractor tool = 23mm diametre thread
Standard BB = 22mm extractor threads

None of the above are inter-compatible, ie do not use a TA extractor on Stronglight thread as it will damage them.

I hope this helps - I believe @Zebra_Cyclist has a plethora of French tools so ask him nicely!

Indeed! Thank you all, I will try asking them!

Whereabouts 'in the middle of rural England' ? I'm in Lincoln and have probably got the tool you need.

Aha, not that far at all (though still a fair few miles from there).

Would you be willing to post it? Or is it too valuable?

Worth mentioning (suggested on this forum in the past) that you can remove cranks using a tool motor mechanics commonly have, a bearing puller. I haven't ever tried, mind.

Yeah, I've heard that too. The only problem is the drive-side cranks have the outer chainring attached directly to the crank arm, with decorative stuff filling up the otherwise empty space to make it look more expensive, so I don't think I could get one to fit without bending the rings and needing new cranks. Whilst they are cheap cranks, it's a cheap bike, and it's already looking like it's going to cost more than it's worth, despite the sentimental value it has.