[Classicrendezvous] Magic Motorcycle BB

(Example: Framebuilders:Brian Baylis)

Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 07:08:53 -0500
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Harvey M Sachs" <sachs@erols.com>
Subject: [Classicrendezvous] Magic Motorcycle BB

Perhaps the oddest bit I bought at Trexlertown was a genuine Magic bottom bracket, with its wrench but no cranks or bearings.

It is an elegant artifact of the "early civilian CNC" era. Concerned that conventional brackets didn't allow strong enough bearings, they built bearing cups that threaded in, and then flared to support cartiridge bearings about 2 cm outboard from the bracket. They also used a 1" diameter aluminum axle, with a lovely 8-splined fitment for the cranks. Rounded splines, no stress risers.

The esthetics justified the investment (<$1, with a promise to give it a good home).

The firm was, as I recall, bought by Cannondale, which led to the (in)famous CNC Coda Cranks.

If anyone needs a full bb, the local No. Va. REI has one in a case, but no cranks... At the price, mine will remain eye candy.

Harvey Sachs