This is a very timely topic for me, as I am trying to remove a Royce bottom bracket (alloy cups) from a Roberts road path frame at the moment. I can get no movement on either cup (lockrings are off at least) BOTH cups are of the pin spanner variety and my spring type green Park pin spanner is anyway not up to the job -I don't think. Also these are pretty classy BBs and ideally I'd like to save it, they have pressed in cartridge bearings I believe so should be very serviceable. As I cant remove the 'adjustable cup' (not actually how Royce BBs work being more like Phil or Mavic) I can't remove the axle to block up the holes so penetrating oil poured down the seat tube is finding the path of least resistance which is not via the seized threads. I think I'm going to have to make some kind of bath and soak the whole lower part of the frame. The frame will need to be repainted anyway so I was also considering heating the BB shell with a blow torch, Is the best thing to do lots of heating/cooling cycles and is it best to heat the shell or the cups -bearing in mind the cups are alloy?
I will try the tranny fluid/thinners mix and look forward to any further advice.
Simon Bird
London England.