This is a shameless attempt to save the the most advanced civilization in
history from imminent self destruction by eliminating carbon emission,
dependence on foreign sources of fuel,obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
Cycling accomplishes all those things at once and helps us develop a better
understanding of ourselves, each other and our relationship to the cosmos.

Oh, horse puckey!
I like to ride bikes, have been doing it all my life.
The rest of that crap is just a fringe benefit,
and the blogosphere gives me a chance to share my interior
monologue with virtual rather than imaginary friends.

Monday, March 28, 2016

Sad because it's a beautiful weekend

Sad, because this was the weekend I designated to officially recover from winter.  If you ever wondered what Michigan winters were like (who would?) just take a look at my bike when spring pretends to come around.  I actually do clean this thing during the winter so that is just a part of the crust, but the worst part.  Every year, spring and fall, I take the bottom bracket catrtridges out of those two bikes, degrease and clean the shell.  
The bottom bracket area gets the most punishment from the slop and corrosives of the street crews.
Then, after I am sure the frame hasn't suffered any damage, I slather the the shell with waterproof grease for the next few months. 
 Both the Hunq and Byron get this treatment spring and fall since they both get year round use.  
  A thorough cleaning,waxing and servicing of all the parts and bearings is what follows.  


I give the bikes a rub down with diluted dish soap on a huge sponge.  
Rinsing it two or three times and drying with a towel.  
I didn't have to do the wheel bearing today, since I had repacked the Hunq's "summer wheels" last fall, and Byron's are sealed (Nuvinci rear, dynohub front).  But the pedals deserved some attention.  I even had to sand off some surface rust from the axles near the crank.
It's an extensive thing to do to two bikes over a weekend,  but I feel better it's done even though it cut into my weekend riding time.
Back in the days when I had one bike and bearing seals were not what they are today, 
I used to break down my bike every 3 or 4 months.  
  I'd get the whole thing done on my coffee table while watching TV.
  Back then it never seemed to take longer than a 6 pack.  
Where did those days go?

1 comment:

  1. I built some strange looking things while drinking a six pack in my day.

    ReplyDelete