Campagnolo Super Record Titanium Bottom Bracket and Headset – My SB5422 Build Continues

Campagnolo Super Record 50th Anniversary Group – that’s what I’m working with again. But before I get to the shiny gold parts, I need to fit the BB and Headset.

But before any parts hit the frame, I want to check the seat tube and give this lovely frame a good clean and polish. The seat pin that came with SB5422 isn’t a 50th Anniversary model. I guess the 26.8 mm 50th seat pin size that this frame accepts (Metric 753 tubing) wasn’t available to whoever built this bike. However, it does have a nice std. Super Record pin, so I still want to make sure that the pin and tube fit perfectly.

Seat Tube Reaming

I’ve no knowledge of the previous build of SB5422, so I’m taking the time and effort to put a reamer down the tube. I’m not looking to ream, or change size, I’m simply looking to make the internal face of the seat tube as clean as possible.

I prefer to hold the reamer steady in the bench vice and use the length and size of the frame to rotate it around the reamer. Plenty of cutting fluid and a smooth rotation helps.

A little Clean and Polish

I’ve covered this so many times now and I have my favorite method and products for doing it. Luckily SB5422 wasn’t too bad. But it is good to get all the grease and fluid off the frame from the prep and cutting processes before starting to build the bike.

I don’t use the Renovator for renovating, I use it for cleaning. It is great for pushing into lug lines and it lifts the dirt out of scratches and hard to reach areas. The Polish puts a shine into the paint.

Campagnolo Super Record Headset

In the previous post, I faced the head tube, cleaned the BB threads and faced the shell. That should give me a perfect fit when they are installed.

The 50th Anniversary Headset is a standard Super Record item, part number 4041. The one that came with SB5422 is in excellent condition.

Before fitting it, I normally add a small smear of grease to the exposed, cut surface of the head tube.

The grease helps the cups slide into place. The stirrup on the Campagnolo Head Race tool (733) holds onto the down tube and frees up both hands allowing you to easily turn the large handle.

Use whatever your favourite grease is and fit the bearings to the cups, and the fork to the frame. The work I did to clean the fork thread meant that the cups threaded on without issue.

I do the final adjustment of the headset with the bike fully built.

Campagnolo Super Record Titanium Bottom Bracket

This is the first of my upgrades. SB5422 came with an Athena BB fitted. So rather than source a steel Nuovo Record BB (standard with the 50th Anniversary group), I’m fitting a Super Record Titanium part (part no. 4031 2nd Generation).

The only thing to note is the direction of the BB axle. The wording stamped onto the BB axle should read from the rear of the frame – this easily tells you the fixed end from the adjustable end.

There are no great issues fitting a bottom bracket to a well prepped shell. I just make sure there is ample anti-seize on the cup threads and the plastic sleeve is in good shape and fits well. Fit the fixed cup, axle and sleeve, then fit the adjustable cup.

Just like the headset, I’ll make the final adjustment later. I tend to fit the right hand crank and use that as a lever to feel for play on the axle before adjusting the BB and fitting the lock ring.

Fitting the Seat Pin

This is my second upgrade. I’m replacing the large steel original SBDU seat fastening bolt with a titanium alternative. The seat tube has already been prepped so a small smear of anti-seize on the bolt thread and the top of the seat tube is all that is needed. The Campagnolo Super Record seat pin fitted perfectly and smoothly.

What’s Next

Next up is simple, the rest of the 50th Anniversary parts will be attached to the frame. This will also include the upgraded parts of Campagnolo freewheel, SLG Turbo saddle and Regina Extra Superleggera SL chain.

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