After a couple of trips to BicycleTutor.com I figured out that If I do the overhaul myself I will need a crank arm puller, bottom bracket wrench and a hooked lock ring wrench. It doesn't look like the job is that difficult, it's gathering the proper tools that is the biggest obstacle. Should I spend money for the tools, or do I have my LBS take care of the job for me? I 'm sure my LBS could use the business.
Random Stuff:
Hampsten Cycles: Back in July, House Industries announced that they had completed printing posters for Hampsten Cycles. As you can see below, the poster features the famous Gavia Pass photo. I've visited the Hampsten Cycles blog but hadn't seen anything about the poster till this afternoon. The poster is $30 plus $5 shipping. Go to their blog for ordering info.
Bike Friendly Oak Cliff: As part of B.F.O.C.'s Cyclesomatic bike festival, there will be a bike swap on Sunday, October 11th, which I'm assuming will be in conjunction with the Urban Street Bazaar taking place the same day. Here's a link to the Cyclesomatic schedule of events.
Photo borrowed from the B.F.O.C. blog.
Fuji Otaku: I love it when I stumble across an interesting new blog. You guys may have come across this one before, but I discovered Fuji Otaku while doing a google image search for Dia Compe non- aero brake hoods. There is lots of information on old steel Fuji bikes and photos of parts in the process of being cleaned and restored. I couldn't find info on the author but it looks like it''s been a couple of months since the last post. I hope this blog hasn't been abandoned. By the way my seventeen year old daughter pointed out that Otaku is used to describe somebody who is a die-hard fan.
The authors beautiful Gran Tourer
I remember seeing this type of wrap on occassion back in the 80's. I think it looks good when done right.
Train vs. Tornado: My weather nerd son found this video and showed it to me the other day. What's worse than the tornado is the tanker car collision at the end. Interesting video.
If you can do hubs, you can do a bottom bracket. The tools aren't expensive and the bearings are actually easier since they're in races. Just make sure you don't put the races back in backwards...
ReplyDeleteDo the BB yourself; you know you wanna. That Fuji Tourer is superb. Jealousy creeping in. I am something of a weather junkie, and Train meets Tornado was super cool.
ReplyDeleteExcellent randomness.
Really nice looking Fuji bike. You have good taste, RTP!! Why no kickstand on it?
ReplyDeletePeace :)
Try the bottom bracket,its almost like a hub. You'll be fine.
ReplyDeleteI hope that was a static mount camers on the train,if not the operator probably had to throw away his pants!
CAMERA, duh! not camers what can I say it's early.
ReplyDeleteSpend the money on the tools, and look at it as an investment for future work. I just dropped almost $600 on bike tools (bonus check :-D ) My bride was a bit miffed, but I polished up her Colt and bought a nice new Ding-Dong bell for it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteFWIW I have removed and replaced lock rings with a flat punch and hammer many a time, I now have a proper spanner...
The way I acquire tools is to buy the basics then purchase the specialty tools as I need them. The reason the bill was so high this time around was the purchase of a Park Tools TS-2 wheel truing stand and base. I have long wanted a quality stand and this was my opportunity.
Aaron
Go ahead and do the bottom bracket, get the tools. Heck, half the reason I have a bike is to learn how to do stuff. Being able to perform maintenance is extremely empowering, especially tasks that most LBSs consider expensive or complicated (dollars).
ReplyDeleteSteve A-It sounds like everybody pretty well agrees with you. I'll be buying some tools next pay day.
ReplyDeleteRantwick-That Tourer is a great looking bike. While I was watching that train video I half expected to see a certain Canadian cyclist riding by. The weather that train rolled through seemed to be no worse than the storm you braved on your last video.
Chandra-I agree, every old steel touring bike deserves a double legged kickstand.
Frankenbiker-I think all locomotives have cameras due to accidents at crossings. I wonder if the engineer bailed out before the tanker car hit?
2whls3spds-I bought an "intermediate" set of tools from Performance a while back. The wrenches are all perfectly decent, but any piece that is subject to any bit of force is prone to breakage or deformation. I'm going to stick to Park tools from now on. I like the idea of buying a truing stand and building my own wheels someday.
Joey-I've actually enjoyed the trial and error of working on my bike. It sounds like I'll have plenty of sound advice if I screw something up.
I will need a crank arm puller, bottom bracket wrench and a hooked lock ring wrench. It doesn't look like the job is that difficult, it's gathering the proper tools that is the biggest obstacle. Should I spend money for the tools, or do I have my LBS take care of the job for me?
ReplyDeleteI've got the puller and lock ring wrench; I got by without a bottom bracket wrench. If you want to borrow the puller and the lock ring wrench, you know where to find me.
Doohickie-Thanks Paul. I may be selling some equipment today. If that works out I'll buy the stuff I need. If it doesn't happen I'll be calling.
ReplyDelete