Absolutely no reason at all. I've done it lots of times. File off the lip on the back side, smooth it out with finer and finer emery paper, use single chain-ring bolts. Done! Or just don't use a a second ring, just in case you change your mind later. (Well, you do have to consider the BB spindle and the chain line, of course.)
Something similar to what you are thinking about can be seen here:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
I didn't use a chain-guard, but I've thought about it. I have a couple cool ones stashed away that that I've considered for this very bike.
The Campy BMX cranks are stamped "Strada" on the arms, so they definitely are not "Pista", but what's the difference??
-- Wayne Bingham Lovettsville, Virginia USA
On Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 8:55 PM, Dale Brown <oroboyz@aol.com> wrote:
>
> << Is it possible to convert a double ring crank to a single or do I h
ave to buy a single? >>
>
> Hey Fred:
> If you look at one of those 1980s color anodized Campagnonolo BMX single
chain ring cranks sets, they simply took a double rtoad crank and machined
off the rearmost shelf.. No reason why you couldn't do something similar...
> Dale Brown
> Greensboro, North Carolina? USA
> Okay guys and gals, this may seem like a stupid question, but I have an o
ld Cilo
> bike that I wanted to dress up with a vintage "deco" style chainguard whi
ch
> means doing away with the front derailleur and going to single chainring
crank.
> Is it possible to convert a double ring crank to a single or do I have to
buy a
> single? Also I think I remember Campy made a single shift lever set at on
e time.
> This will be a five speed since I want to retain the old five cog freewhe
el.
> It's just a potential project so feel free to call me crazy or whatever,
but I
> love the look of the chainguard and don't have the proper bike that I can
use it
> on. The chainguard cost more than than what I paid for the bike. The Cilo
> pesently has Campy Victory components, vintage fenders, racks, and vintag
e
> French lights. It's all about appearance rather than authenticity.
> Fred Durrette
> Summerville, SC