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Old 10-01-2014, 08:38 AM   #11 (permalink)
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Boo Radley - '65 Ford F100
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Lucky duck getting to work on bikes in your down time at work! Better than being on forums lol.

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Old 10-07-2014, 10:36 AM   #12 (permalink)
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
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Oh, it wasn't exactly down time. I just wanted to play with the bike. (My clients already have low expectations.)

---

I spent an hour or so with some steel wool & penetrating oil on the weekend and most of the chrome cleaned up nicely.

I've been riding it around a lot. I can confirm it's still a pretty terrible bike to ride (single speed, duh). But it's definitely amusing.
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Old 10-10-2014, 12:48 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Boo Radley - '65 Ford F100
90 day: 13.28 mpg (US)
Thanks: 782
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Be sure to put some wax or something on that chrome so the oxide doesn't bloom up again!

Did you rebuild the coaster hub? I recently started mechanically refurbishing a '74 Schwinn Stingray a friend sold me, and it's quite difficult to pedal. The hub is the last thing I have to regrease on the bike, so I'm wondering if you might have a similar problem.

Or it could just be the single speed
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Old 10-10-2014, 02:26 PM   #14 (permalink)
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
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Didn't really rebuild it: just took it apart, cleaned and re-greased.

It's not what I'd call "hard" to pedal, but the rear axle bearing races aren't smooth, so there's some lumpy resistance for sure. You don't really notice it on the road, but if you turn the crank by hand it's obvious.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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Old 10-13-2014, 12:05 PM   #15 (permalink)
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Getting the ball bearings totally clean may be the hardest part if they are not loose. The other consideration is adjusting the play on the bearings. When putting the hub back together allow enough free play so that when the axle nuts are tightened against the frame there is no drag. make sure all the links in the chain are free also.

Waxing the chrome and spokes helps but if you have a store that sells CRC Marine Clear spray, that is awesome protection against salt corrosion. Rustoleum or automotive clear coats work well on all components and acrylic enamel is safe to use over most paints.
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:52 AM   #16 (permalink)
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Boo Radley - '65 Ford F100
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Sounds like rebuilding to me! Anyway, maybe it would be worth it to you in enjoyment to get new races and bearings at the LBS. They'd probably last another 50 years.
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Old 10-14-2014, 12:03 PM   #17 (permalink)
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Join Date: Nov 2007
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
Thanked 6,957 Times in 3,602 Posts
I think it's good enough now. That was a rebuilding, huh?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant-53 View Post
Getting the ball bearings totally clean may be the hardest part if they are not loose.
They aren't loose, no.

Quote:
The other consideration is adjusting the play on the bearings. When putting the hub back together allow enough free play so that when the axle nuts are tightened against the frame there is no drag. make sure all the links in the chain are free also.
I'm sure it can use some fine-tuning.

It'll soon be put away anyway, despite today's freakish summer-like blast of weather we're getting from the south, winter is around the corner and I won't subject this old girl to harsh conditions & road salt. That's what the Pirate Bike (of unknown lineage) is for: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-bike-300.html
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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Old 10-14-2014, 01:55 PM   #18 (permalink)
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My "new" winter bike is a curb side NEXT full suspension mountain bike. Different wheels, chain rings, fenders, seat tube rack, and full fairing will complete the build.
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Old 10-19-2014, 09:45 PM   #19 (permalink)
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Centurion - '74 FIAT X1/9 Centurion Full Race DNA
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Nice bike(s)!
Like to see them crop up from time-to-time.
I have two single-speed 50's Higgins Colorflows, one springer front, one not.

The older of the two was my first "big bike" 40 years ago!

~CrazyJerry
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Old 10-21-2014, 08:22 PM   #20 (permalink)
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Picking the right bike is a bit more complicated than going to a store and picking the one that looks nice. Weather, terrain, and traffic density affect the type of bike whether hybrid, commuter, or road bike. Next is getting the frame sized properly for your body dimensions. I use Zinn Cycles online program for recommendations on frame, stem, and crank arm sizes. Gearing is a matter of plotting the steps between a suitable low and high. If you are in stop and go traffic without steep hills, an internal gear hub is easier to shift when stopped. I have a 24 spd Jamis Aragon 700C and a Huffy 3 spd 26" as favorites. The aluminum Jamis is great on hills and towing a trailer. The Huffy is slick in traffic. I have fairings and bags for both.

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