'maintain' my Bicycle? part 2 (with pictures)

[[email protected]]

This is a continuation of my first post "What to do to maintain my
bike"
The first post was getting long, and slightly off topic, so I decide
to create a new one with new information and pictures.
Ok, I managed to drag the bike out of the basement where it was being
kept and took a closer look at it and took some pictures for you all.

Strange...upon first look, I do NOT see any rust, but looking at the
pictures (with flash) it looks like there is rust.

First picture is the back wheel/sprocket area, looking at the sprocket/
crank area it looks like it has rust (the parts right below the teeth)
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/back.jpg

Is it bad? Do I need to be worried about it? (ignore all the dust on
the frame, its been 2 years since I rode it)
Remember, I just want to ride the bike around the block for 30 minutes
maybe ONCE a week at most. Of course I want the bike to last and not
fall apart next week.

Heres the chain, pretty good condition (except for the dust, lol)
considering I had the bike for about 18 years or so and I never oiled
it.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/chain.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/chain2.jpg

This is the front of the bike
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/front.jpg
Hard to see from the picture but the part behind the brake where you
turn the bike, it has some gunk on it.
Probably from the original factory oil.

So, my plan of action is:
1. Wipe the bike down with a wet rag sometime this week.
2. Turn the pedals backwards while holding a napkin to the chain (to
clean the oil)
3. Then turn the pedals backwards while using my 1/4 oz tube of "Tri-
Flow Superior Lubricant" that I bought last week on the chain. I will
hold the mouth of the tube on the chain and gently squeeze the bottle
while turning the wheel backwards.

Now do I need to be worried/do anything about:
1. The back wheel crank area that you see in the first picture?
It LOOKS like theres some rust there, but it does not look too bad.
Im sure if I rode year round, and about 100 miles a week I should be
worried, but I plan on riding once a week (if even) for about 30
minutes.
Even still, I dont want the crank/sprocket(whatever its called) to
shatter or break due to the rust in the middle of a ride.
2. The front part with the gunk. Im thinking of just wiping away the
gunk with a napkin.
After I do that, do I need to put some lubricant on it?

Thanks

 

[Ben C]

On 2008-04-21, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:
[...]
> Strange...upon first look, I do NOT see any rust, but looking at the
> pictures (with flash) it looks like there is rust.
>
> First picture is the back wheel/sprocket area, looking at the sprocket/
> crank area it looks like it has rust (the parts right below the teeth)
> http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/back.jpg
>
> Is it bad? Do I need to be worried about it? (ignore all the dust on
> the frame, its been 2 years since I rode it)

I don't think the rust looks like a problem.

> Remember, I just want to ride the bike around the block for 30 minutes
> maybe ONCE a week at most. Of course I want the bike to last and not
> fall apart next week.
>
> Heres the chain, pretty good condition (except for the dust, lol)
> considering I had the bike for about 18 years or so and I never oiled
> it.
> http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/chain.jpg
> http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/chain2.jpg

It looks fine apart from the dust.

> This is the front of the bike
> http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/front.jpg
> Hard to see from the picture but the part behind the brake where you
> turn the bike, it has some gunk on it.
> Probably from the original factory oil.
>
> So, my plan of action is:
> 1. Wipe the bike down with a wet rag sometime this week.
> 2. Turn the pedals backwards while holding a napkin to the chain (to
> clean the oil)
> 3. Then turn the pedals backwards while using my 1/4 oz tube of "Tri-
> Flow Superior Lubricant" that I bought last week on the chain. I will
> hold the mouth of the tube on the chain and gently squeeze the bottle
> while turning the wheel backwards.

Sounds good.

> Now do I need to be worried/do anything about:
> 1. The back wheel crank area that you see in the first picture?
> It LOOKS like theres some rust there, but it does not look too bad.
> Im sure if I rode year round, and about 100 miles a week I should be
> worried, but I plan on riding once a week (if even) for about 30
> minutes.
> Even still, I dont want the crank/sprocket(whatever its called) to
> shatter or break due to the rust in the middle of a ride.

Sprocket. I don't think that's going to break any time soon. If it does,
you can always change to a different gear and ride home carefully.

> 2. The front part with the gunk. Im thinking of just wiping away the
> gunk with a napkin.
> After I do that, do I need to put some lubricant on it?

No need, it will only attract more gunk.

 

[[email protected]]

On Apr 21, 5:41 pm, Ben C <[email protected]> wrote:
> > First picture is the back wheel/sprocket area, looking at the sprocket/
> > crank area it looks like it has rust (the parts right below the teeth)
> >http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/back.jpg
>
> > Is it bad?  Do I need to be worried about it?  (ignore all the dust on
> > the frame, its been 2 years since I rode it)
>
> I don't think the rust looks like a problem.

Really? cool.
I was a bit worried because RUST is not 'normal/good'
And it was all over the area below the teeth.
But then again on my frame there's chips on the paint and its rust,
but its so small, Im not worried.

> >http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/chain.jpg
> >http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/chain2.jpg
>
> It looks fine apart from the dust.

Again, Im suprised.
18 or so years without oiling, and its pretty good.
I guess the maker of the bike did a good job. (Panasonic)


> > 2. The front part with the gunk.  Im thinking of just wiping away the
> > gunk with a napkin.
> > After I do that, do I need to put some lubricant on it?
>
> No need, it will only attract more gunk.

cool, thanks.
lol @ me.
I have a chain with a lock wrapped around the frame (below the seat)
and I dont have the key anymore!
I think I remember finding a key awhile back and thinking "well I dont
have a lock, so I might as well throw it out" and now I realized its
THIS lock!

 

[clare at snyder dot ontario dot canada]

On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:54:39 -0700 (PDT), [email protected] wrote:

>This is a continuation of my first post "What to do to maintain my
>bike"
>The first post was getting long, and slightly off topic, so I decide
>to create a new one with new information and pictures.
>Ok, I managed to drag the bike out of the basement where it was being
>kept and took a closer look at it and took some pictures for you all.
>
>Strange...upon first look, I do NOT see any rust, but looking at the
>pictures (with flash) it looks like there is rust.
>
>First picture is the back wheel/sprocket area, looking at the sprocket/
>crank area it looks like it has rust (the parts right below the teeth)
>http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/back.jpg
>
>Is it bad? Do I need to be worried about it? (ignore all the dust on
>the frame, its been 2 years since I rode it)
>Remember, I just want to ride the bike around the block for 30 minutes
>maybe ONCE a week at most. Of course I want the bike to last and not
>fall apart next week.
>
>Heres the chain, pretty good condition (except for the dust, lol)
>considering I had the bike for about 18 years or so and I never oiled
>it.
>http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/chain.jpg
>http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/chain2.jpg
>
>This is the front of the bike
>http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/front.jpg
>Hard to see from the picture but the part behind the brake where you
>turn the bike, it has some gunk on it.
>Probably from the original factory oil.
>
>So, my plan of action is:
>1. Wipe the bike down with a wet rag sometime this week.
>2. Turn the pedals backwards while holding a napkin to the chain (to
>clean the oil)
>3. Then turn the pedals backwards while using my 1/4 oz tube of "Tri-
>Flow Superior Lubricant" that I bought last week on the chain. I will
>hold the mouth of the tube on the chain and gently squeeze the bottle
>while turning the wheel backwards.
>
>Now do I need to be worried/do anything about:
>1. The back wheel crank area that you see in the first picture?
>It LOOKS like theres some rust there, but it does not look too bad.
>Im sure if I rode year round, and about 100 miles a week I should be
>worried, but I plan on riding once a week (if even) for about 30
>minutes.
>Even still, I dont want the crank/sprocket(whatever its called) to
>shatter or break due to the rust in the middle of a ride.
>2. The front part with the gunk. Im thinking of just wiping away the
>gunk with a napkin.
>After I do that, do I need to put some lubricant on it?
>
>Thanks
Wash the bike down with warm soapy water - even car-wash soap. The
junk around the headset is congealed oil. Might need a bit of varsol
type solvent on a rag to wipe that off.

To do it RIGHT you would take the headset apart, wash it all in
solvent and regrease, and do the same with the bottom bracket(crank)
and bothe wheels and axles. For your use, you will almost certainly
"get away with" not going that far. The bike looks to be in pretty
good shape overall.

** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

 

[Ben C]

On 2008-04-21, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Apr 21, 5:41 pm, Ben C <[email protected]> wrote:
>> > First picture is the back wheel/sprocket area, looking at the sprocket/
>> > crank area it looks like it has rust (the parts right below the teeth)
>> >http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/bike/back.jpg
>>
>> > Is it bad?  Do I need to be worried about it?  (ignore all the dust on
>> > the frame, its been 2 years since I rode it)
>>
>> I don't think the rust looks like a problem.
>
> Really? cool.
> I was a bit worried because RUST is not 'normal/good'
> And it was all over the area below the teeth.
> But then again on my frame there's chips on the paint and its rust,
> but its so small, Im not worried.

Those happen, but the rust doesn't seem to spread much. You can get a
wonder product from car accessory shops made of some kind of acid that
turns the rust black and is meant to stop it spreading, good for paint
chips. This may be the stuff Gene refers to as "Rusto".

 

[TBerk]

- Not enough Rust to worry about. A small amount as a patina is OK.

- Too much grease/lube can attract dust/grime/crunch bits.

- After you wash the paint, slap a little car wax on a rag and wipe it
down again. The paint is going to be OK either way but it's a bit
'dry' after all this time and why not put some dirt repellent on it
before going out on the road?

I understand your concerns but you are worrying too much. Get back on
the road and enjoy yourself in the out of doors.


TBerk

 

[[email protected]]

So I just finished, took a lot longer than I thought and of course a
few more questions.

Since it was hot and sunny out, I took a rag and a bucket of water and
just washed the whole bike.
Dried pretty quickly in the sun.

Took a napkin and held it to the chain while spinning the pedal
backwards

Took the lube and put some drops on all the top level of the chain,
and all the bottom level.
Not the top side and bottom side....
BUT the top level (above the bottom of the frame) and the bottom level
(the chain that is below the frame)

Then rode it around the block while shifting through all the gears.

A few things I noticed/Questions:
1. My right calf has a bunch of oil on it. Should I wipe the chain
with a napkin?
but wouldnt that remove all the oil I put on there?
2. The front tire is completly worn away. The rear tire has a lot of
tread (suprisingly)
Is it dangerous for the front tire to be bare?

Thanks

 

[Ben C]

On 2008-04-23, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:
> So I just finished, took a lot longer than I thought and of course a
> few more questions.
>
> Since it was hot and sunny out, I took a rag and a bucket of water and
> just washed the whole bike.
> Dried pretty quickly in the sun.
>
> Took a napkin and held it to the chain while spinning the pedal
> backwards
>
> Took the lube and put some drops on all the top level of the chain,
> and all the bottom level.
> Not the top side and bottom side....
> BUT the top level (above the bottom of the frame) and the bottom level
> (the chain that is below the frame)
>
> Then rode it around the block while shifting through all the gears.
>
> A few things I noticed/Questions:
> 1. My right calf has a bunch of oil on it. Should I wipe the chain
> with a napkin?

You already wiped it with your right calf

Yes, wipe it.

> but wouldnt that remove all the oil I put on there?

The idea is the useful oil has already (you hope) worked its way inside
onto the rollers. The stuff on the outside is just attracting dirt. It
also preventing rust so if you're riding in the rain I wouldn't wipe it
all off.

> 2. The front tire is completly worn away. The rear tire has a lot of
> tread (suprisingly)
> Is it dangerous for the front tire to be bare?

No but if you start getting punctures get a new one.

Some riders say they get no increase in the number of punctures with
bald tyres, others that they do. I reckon I do.

I think it depends where you live and what kind of sharp stones/thorns
you're up against.