When I was new to the sport in the early 70s, I would tear into my bike to clean the gunk out fairly regularly, and wound up stripping/cross-threading the adj. cup side. (I am more careful now). The only local good shop in town at that time (Steve's, Dayton, OH) tapped it for different threading. It was a Mercier, and I was told the new threads were English. (That is my recollection, but I am not sure that makes sense). In any event, that eventually failed. I was shown a 'repair-bottom bracket' at a small neighborhood shop. This was a sealed type unit that had flanges that tightened up against the faces of the shell instead of threading into it. It looked clunky as hell, but I rode the thing without any problem for years! I have no idea if such a thing is still available, and I couldn't recommend it for a really fine frame, but if you have no choice and you want to ride the bike, it works.
Ron Gurth converting my bike into a pontoon boat in Carmel, IN
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