I inadvertently deleted an email from a fellow lister last night enquiring about the reproduction bolts for a Chater Lea chainset which I have just had made by my neighbour Derek. I know that some may think this OFF-TOPIC, but there are times when certain parts in proprietorial dimensions are becoming very hard to find - therefore, when needs must ...
So here's the update - last week I gave Derek three bolts kindly supplied by Derek Athey as templates. He took them to work - he is a tool-maker at the National Research Council here in Ottawa and does exquisite stuff. Anyway, a day later he presented me with two sets of bolts in stainless steel which are absolutely fabulous. He did have to retap the chainset slightly as the threads had been damaged at some point - maybe during rechroming. He managed to reproduce the 17/32" X 25 pitch thread as close as possible. It took him a while to set up and he reckons that although the materials are relatively inexpensive it would not be a very cost effective venture. On the other hand, once set up it was easy to mill more than one set at a time. Needless to say, I am thrilled - they won't rust!!!
This evening I took over a rear centre brake bolt which came from a Bowden Touriste, but is set up for a French bike of the 30s-40s (with the clip which goes over the brake bridge and a vertical fastening hole). He is going to make me a replacement bolt with a standard spindle for a British set-up. He thinks that it will actually be easier than the chainring bolts - surprised me! He then showed me the lathe he has in his basement and said that he could actually do it there, but will probably take it into work. It is great to have a mate who takes such delight in having a go at new things! I am going to owe him lots of landscaping help and advice in months to come.
Paul Williams, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Dr. Paul B. Williams, BAH, MPhil, PhD Instructor, Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada