I've had a polite request from Pete to blog updates on how the bike project is going, with photos.
Unfortunately I'm a bit useless when it comes to photos. I only have my camera phone and if I'm working with gunky hands it's all a bit difficult. But I'll see what I can do.
So far I've split the old rusted chain and removed it from the bike, and then joined a nice new silver one on. And then wondered whether I should have waited until I'd serviced the bottom bracket. Never mind.
I've also managed to completely strip down the rear wheel hub, clean it up and regrease it.
This involves using a chain whip to remove the cassette. If you think about how a bike works, when you peddle the chain moves the wheel and you go forward.
When you stop pedalling.... well you still go forward. The cassette spins on the axle and allows the wheel to continue to rotate. Magic.
This causes problems when you need to service all those bits at the back, as to unscrew things you generally turn them anti-clockwise (lefty-loosey, righty tighty is the way I always remember this).But when you do this on a cassette, it simple rotates around, because that's what it's designed to do.
The chain whip is simply a gurt big tool with a few chain links attached that you wrap around the cassette to hold it still, whilst you throw all your weight behind the other spanner and try and undo the top of the cassette. With a bit of manly grunting. But once it gives, it's easy to remove the cassette from the wheel - it just slides off. Makes it beautifully easy to clean too. The grimy and in places rusted cassette now looks almost brand new again. The wonders of degreaser and a brush.
As for the hub, that's the mucky part. I think my brother-in-law had cleaned it soon before he passed away (knowing Neal he'd done it regularly), but you could still tell that it had been sitting there in all weathers. Took all the parts out and gave them a good clean.
It was quite an eye-opener. In my 'bike career' I'd heard many of the parts of the hub referenced, but never seen them. Now I was looking at the bearings and cones. The cone is simply a small nut that requires a thin spanner to work with them.
I might get a gun to put grease into the cups (where the bearings sit) next time - just squeezing it out of the tube was a bit of a nightmare.
I've rebuilt the wheel and it all seems to be moving around happily. Of course the acid test will be when the whole bike is put back together - which may be some time off yet.
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Thanks Rob! How bad a condition is the bike actually in? Is it usable, and this is a restoration to full potential or has it suffered from time in the elements?
ReplyDeleteI think the bike is in great condition considering it's been outside, but people have said to me that doing up a bike that has been loved but sat outside for a couple of years is a million times easier than doing up a bike that has been unloved and only sat outside for a year.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment I can't see anything that means a bit of work won't bring it back to full working glory. Biggest problem is that the brakes are seized on and need a hell of a lot of bleeding (which will be a lovely learning curve).
Cool ;)
ReplyDeleteAlso, just found this: http://bicycles.stackexchange.com/ wonder if you've seen it? It's a good format, I use a couple of their other sites for different subjects. "Saw this and thought of you" of course ;)