Crank helicoils

[ROBRIENMIKE]

Does any one know where I can get a conversion done or a helicoil kit to convert French pedal threads to English in cranks?
OR...
VAR tools website shows a kit but it does not list any dealers over here. Does anyone know where VAR tools are available in UK?
ALSO....
Drop bolts for rear brakes...any info on the availability of these?

Mike

[Joe.B]

I'd recommened that you look for a small engineering firm near to where you live. In my experiance such firms are happy to do small jobs such at the one you require for a modest price. They may be able to do a superior job by re-tapping the holes rather than using a helicoil.

[hubgearfreak]

I'd recommened that you look for a small engineering firm near to where you live.

what would anyone but a crank manufacturer/bicycle specialist want with a left handed 9/16" 20tpi tap i wonder?

either hunt ebay for french pedals, change cranks or send them off for re-tapping. perhaps http://www.highpath.net/ might have the correct taps?

[robc02]

There's no need for a helicoil. Just find someone with British pedal taps and run them through the existing French threaded holes. Apparently, the two threads are very similar with the British one being fractionally larger. See http://www.sheldonbrown.com/velos.html - about half way down the page.

[ROBRIENMIKE]

Thanks for the replies so far....keep em coming please.
I had already contacted Highpath and I will probably send the cranks ( NOS Stronglight 49D) there but, because of illness, they have a big back log of work at present.
Rethreading... I was about to attack the cranks having read this was possible and having all the tools, but, I have since been warned by two venerable cycle mechanics, that, on alloy cranks it does work but it is inadvisable to remove pedals more than a couple of times as the threads become very loose with time anyway and too much messing around will result in a helicoil job in the long run . One can use threadlock of course, given the correct grade.
Mike