Random Stuff 08-25-09

Well, after removing and degreasing the chain on the Takara, I noticed that the cranks catch noticeably in a couple of positions when I spin them. When I disassembled the rear hub, I saw that the ancient grease had partially solidified preventing the wheel from rolling smoothly. I'm guessing the grease in bottom bracket is in a similar condition. I've been warned against messing with it, but if I don't, it will be all I think about.

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.

Hub Overhaul

I'm still sick today, I'm pretty sure I've got swine flu, or ebola, although my wife thinks it's a cold, either way I feel terrible. Sick or not, I couldn't stand sitting around doing nothing. I went to the garage and started working on my new old bike.

I managed to remove the freewheel the other day using a large pipe wrench and what was undoubtedly an awesome display of manly strength. Once the freewheel was off I was able to remove the ugly yellow spoke protector which was then unceremoniously tossed into the garbage. I decided to try something I've never done before, overhaul the rear hub. My bike mechanic skills are on the very low end of the spectrum but I don't mind giving things a try as long as I have enough money to have my LBS repair whatever I've screwed up. I get paid once a month, so depending on the date it can be a long wait until I'm riding again. After a couple of visits to BicycleTutor.com, I dove in.

Here's the hub after disassembly. I managed not to drop the bearings.

The 20+ year old grease had dried up and had plastered itself to the inner surface of the hub. It was much more difficult to remove than I expected. Liberal doses of degreaser and vigorous use of an old toothbrush eventually removed the old grease.

Here's what I ended up with.

Everything went back together with few problems. I was surprised at how much smoother the wheel rolled. I figure that the front hub and bottom bracket will also have to be overhauled. I'll get to the front wheel tomorrow. I'll probably have my LBS take care of the bottom bracket overhaul as I've messed up a crank arm in the past using a cheap crank extractor. I don't want to do that again.