[kazlx]

Found an older 3sp steel frame Electra beach cruiser on CL that could use some love. Has a little surface rust, but I figured I would strip it down, put on some fresh parts and revive it. I thought it was a cool looking frame.

On a side note, what are my options for cranks? It has the 1pc cranks that look the same as I had on my bmx bike forever ago, but they are pretty rusted. I disassembled the whole bike last night, so it's ready to go to the powdercoaters.

 

[sanjuro]

Think about a bmx crank.

One-piece jobs suck, and a bmx crank will be extremely stiff.

 

[kazlx]

Yea, I thought about bmx cranks. I don't mind putting some cash into it since she will likely be keeping it and riding it for a long time. I guess I just need to figure out what type of bottom bracket and cranks I need.

I have found some generic 'beach cruiser' replacements, but they are literally just cast steel parts. Maybe it shouldn't bug me to use stuff like that, but it does haha.

 

[sanjuro]

When I did the conversion for a cruiser, it was a standard 68mm english thread job.

 

[eaterofdog]

Nice looking cruiser. Measure the BB and we can tell you.

 

[kazlx]

Nice looking cruiser. Measure the BB and we can tell you.

Thanks. Can do. I just liked the look of the frame and she's excited because she gets to pick stuff out for it.

 

[Mr Jones]

Electra is local to SoCal right? I recently resurrected a 1982 Schwinn World Tourister. Was able to use an old shimano 68x105 square taper. Was a bit of a tight fit, but a quick trip to the LBS to have the BB threads chased and the shell reamed let me finish the install quick and easy.

 

[kazlx]

Electra is local to SoCal right? I recently resurrected a 1982 Schwinn World Tourister. Was able to use an old shimano 68x105 square taper. Was a bit of a tight fit, but a quick trip to the LBS to have the BB threads chased and the shell reamed let me finish the install quick and easy.

I believe so. I looked up some info on the model and it looks like one of their first ones. The company was started in 1993. I might e-mail them when I get a chance and see when it was made out of curiosity.

 

[missiongravity]

That is going to be an American BB shell to allow those Ashtabula cranks to fit so you will need a bottom bracket adapter to be able to run a threaded BB.

Something like this:

 

[kazlx]

That is going to be an American BB shell to allow those Ashtabula cranks to fit so you will need a bottom bracket adapter to be able to run a threaded BB.

Something like this:

Thanks. We actually went to a relatively local bike shop last night that was really helpful. They have 3 piece cranksets for less than $100 that come with sealed bearings that fit right in and the cranks. Should work out for what I need. They knew exactly what my options were and have stuff in stock. I will probably head back this weekend and get some stuff.

 

[kazlx]

Or can I run something directly like this?:

http://www.danscomp.com/451053.php?cat=PARTS#

 

[missiongravity]

Or can I run something directly like this?:

http://www.danscomp.com/451053.php?cat=PARTS#

That should work, It is an all in one kit. Nice find.

 

[kazlx]

The other question I got is headsets. Looks like a 1" threaded headset. Will any 1" threaded one work or are there different cup sizes or anything funky like that?

 

[mattmatt86]

The other question I got is headsets. Looks like a 1" threaded headset. Will any 1" threaded one work or are there different cup sizes or anything funky like that?

Is it not rebuildable? Most older headsets were tanks and can easily come back to life with a good cleaning and new grease.

 

[kazlx]

Is it not rebuildable? Most older headsets were tanks and can easily come back to life with a good cleaning and new grease.

I might be able to save it, but it is chrome and has some rust issues that I don't really feel like dealing with.

 

[henrymiller]

I might be able to save it, but it is chrome and has some rust issues that I don't really feel like dealing with.

This would work:

http://www.danscomp.com/305016.php?cat=PARTS#

$10 from dans comp save on shipping if you get the cranks.