So... How much should I Dremel this bottom bracket?

Scott_J

Pedelecer
Jan 27, 2015
72
3
I'm attaching a Bafang 8FUN to a SCOTT Aspect 29er.

The motor slides in OK, until it hits the middle ridge.
I need to take less than 1mm from the inside of the bracket (see pic attached).

I've tried grease and the ol' rubber mallet, but alas to no avail.

My question is: How much would/have you taken off to fit a Bafang motor?

Thanks in advance. ;)
 

Attachments

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,981
8,565
61
West Sx RH
It will be a bit of over weld stopping it sliding all the way in so just go carefully to remove what is needed some time a half round file will do the job.
 

Ocsid

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 2, 2017
453
271
81
Hampshire
Is there any merit in using a cheap, electric drill driven cylinder hone?
LINK

I would add, it is not a task I have done, but just musing on how I might do it if I needed to.

Identifying what needs Dremel attention, if going that route, would be something I would try to resolve before attempting the task. I think I would turn a wooden gauge, and wrap it with a trailing piece of wet and dry, or from my shed use marker blue on paper, to identify the high points.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,981
8,565
61
West Sx RH
I had similar as most likely a lot of others will have had, my BBS wouldn't slide through so a rat tail file came to my rescue and after 10/15 mins off filing the job was done.
 

Scott_J

Pedelecer
Jan 27, 2015
72
3
I had similar as most likely a lot of others will have had, my BBS wouldn't slide through so a rat tail file came to my rescue and after 10/15 mins off filing the job was done.
I wish mine was as simple! :rolleyes:
I've spent all day on this and it still won't go in... :mad:
 

Kinninvie

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 5, 2013
907
415
Teesdale,England
I always use a Dremel .Take a bit off then try it.
If it doesnt go do it again until it does.
Also make sure you loosen the cable guide bolt underneath first as I have known them to get in the way too.
 

Scott_J

Pedelecer
Jan 27, 2015
72
3
Nope to all of the above, I'm afraid. :(

It would damage the bb thickness to such an extent, that the stresses on the frame would be too much to bear!
 

Fordulike

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 26, 2010
3,802
1,538
Nothing is stopping it, apart from the inner thickness of the frame's BB.
IIRC, the Bafang axle housing that slides into the BB is coated in a layer of paint. Do you think sanding that layer off, might give you some extra clearance?
 

MontyPAS

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 16, 2020
390
148
Is that an alloy frame.
If so it is not going take much to file it down with a half round file, and finishing with a suitable flap wheel
 

Scott_J

Pedelecer
Jan 27, 2015
72
3
Seriously, thanks for all the suggestions, but the frames BB thickness would be down to a scary minimum if I was to continue! :oops:

I ain't chancing it! o_O
 

MontyPAS

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 16, 2020
390
148
Seriously, thanks for all the suggestions, but the frames BB thickness would be down to a scary minimum if I was to continue! :oops:

I ain't chancing it! o_O
There is plenty of alloy there, I've done it on a frame no issues!
 

Ocsid

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 2, 2017
453
271
81
Hampshire
Dare you work a tap in a little further, LINK ?

Its lead in section, will bore, true and in line, only where the excess metal you need to ease away is.
 

MontyPAS

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 16, 2020
390
148
If the O/P is fitting a BBS01 then the thread is redundant so cheaper, easier, and safer to just file to fit.
Most sealed BB's are stepped, that's why the extra meat has been left in the BB section.
 

wheeliepete

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 28, 2016
2,047
757
61
Devon
Seriously, thanks for all the suggestions, but the frames BB thickness would be down to a scary minimum if I was to continue! :oops:

I ain't chancing it! o_O
How about all the frames with a BB the BBS fits through? Never seen or heard of a BB failure due to wall thickness. The amount you need to remove is mimimal, prob. less than .5mm, get filing, your worries are unfounded. :)
Ocsid's idea of a cylinder hone is good, or a flapper wheel, it will remove a nice even amount of material and leave the BB with an even thickness.
 
Last edited:
  • Agree
Reactions: MontyPAS

JPGiant

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 3, 2017
364
167
West Yorkshire
Use internal & external micrometer's to compare dimensions of Bafang motor shaft o/d and BB (inside & outside) to determine how much metal you have to deal with.
Then hire/buy/borrow a hand operated taper reamer to open up the bore in stages.
 

MontyPAS

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 16, 2020
390
148
Use internal & external micrometer's to compare dimensions of Bafang motor shaft o/d and BB (inside & outside) to determine how much metal you have to deal with.
Then hire/buy/borrow a hand operated taper reamer to open up the bore in stages.
Or just use a file, job done!
Why overcomplicate things...... Just sayin!