New Guy. Old Questions.

Rob M Hi guys and gals..

I currently ride a super colourful MBK http://www.flickr.com/photos/untitledlab/2091138925/in/set-72157603390542694/
You might have seen it around the Old St area... Anyway..

Love it ! :)

I basically love colourful stuff and that bike certainly got colour !

Rob M 1. Frame. I'm planning to get it done at Amourtex (close to home / cheap).
I wanted to know about getting it shot blasted to remove the old paint. Can I get this done?

I think Armourtex will do this for you - they do the burn it off thing in a very hot oven and then either bead blast or chemically etch the frame after cleaning - give them a ring to check this out, but as far as I remember they will do it for you.

Rob M How much do I need to clean the frame? I've removed the stickers as best I can, but its still sticky, is that ok?

If you want to de-sticky something, go to your local newsagent and grab a can of lighter fluid.

Rob M
What about oil, do I need to get in with a brush and clean out any bits of oil from the BB housing?

See above / lighter fluid /Armourtex are geared up to clean the frame before they coat.

Rob M
Paint. I'm looking at Matt Black (Stealth). Do I need to fashion something to put in the BB hole to stop paint getting into the thread? If so, any suggestions?

No, Armourtex have hundreds of rubber bungs and stoppers and will mask off any threaded holes you ask them to, although the first couple of threads might take a little bit of the coating, but this is fairly simply to chase out.

Rob M

1. Wheels. The frame used to be geared (I removed the hanger)... Does this effect the wheels I get?
   
   

No.

Rob M
I presume I can get standard race wheels?

No, if you want to go fixed, you need a rear wheel with a track hub - the front wheel can be any race/road wheel.

Standard race/road wheels have a freehub (which let's you coast).

You could go down this route, but the final machine will be a single speed as opposed to fixed.

Rob M
I've been looking at some like the Campagnolo Khamsin or similar, probably from the ebay...
I'm planning to go fixed. I guess the Khamsin's (or similar) will require me to get some spacers and a cog? And then they'll be ready to go?q

See above / this will give you a (very fine ! ) single speed machine which coasts when you stop peddling.

But basically, yes, spacers and a cog (+lock ring of some kind) will do the trick if this is the route you want to go.

Rob M

1. My BB housing measures 68(.5?)mm..
   
   

68mm and 73mm are standard BB shell sizes.

Rob M
Wiggle shows me many widths for this size, and also English / Italian sizes. How do I know?!
Do I need to get my wheels in first and then measure what would make the best straight line?

To get a good chain line the following needs to be considered.

Crankset + BB + rear hub + cog

If you get any of these combinations all should be good. (the forum name of the owner of each set up is at the end if you have specific quesitions)

BBs without the length indicated only come is a single length.

Sugino 75 + Miche + Formula = kowalski
Sugino 75 + Miche+ Phil Wood = adoubletap
Sugino 75 + Hatta R9400 + ShimanoHB7600 + EAI superstar cog = Tynan
Dura-Ace + Sugino 75 + Dura-Ace (7600) + Dura-Ace = hassanr
Sugino 75 + Sugino 75 + Phil Wood + EAI = mr_tom
Stronglight + Shimano UN73 110mm + SystemEx + EAI -2mm = mr_tom
Campag + Campag Centaur 111mm + Suzue Promax SB + EAI superstar = oddsock
miche + campag record 111m + goldtec + EAI = MrSmith
Sugino 75 + Dura Ace + Condor Goldtec + Condor CNC = Mouse
Sugino Messenger + Phil wood (103 jis) + phil wood + phil wood= chris crash
Stronglight+UN53/109+Sys-X+Formula= MA3K
Dura Ace+UN53/109+Dura Ace+Dura Ace= MA3K
Sugino 75 + Phil Wood + Phil Wood + Phil Wood = Cornelius Blackfoot
sugino 75 + campag centaur 111mm + goldtec + eai = dogsballs
campag record + campag record + royce + eai = briankwan
White Industries + Shimano 110mm + Phils + White Industries = big daddy wayne
Stronglight + Stronglight + SystemEx + Tranzmission = BringMeMyFix
Campag Veloce Triple + Campag Veloce + Goldtec + Tranzmission = BringMeMyFix
Campag Pista + Campag Athena + Phils (Hub and cog) = Jonny