Funny Little Bike Story

[Ed Hurst]

God is good!

Some of you may remember I wasn't entirely satisfied with the way my bike upgrade went. You may also remember I connected it to a word from the Lord about the timing of a national crisis. I rode the bike for a few days with the imperfect setup, until my pal got back to work at the sporting goods store. I waited for him at the store until he returned from an errand. Then I showed him what I had done and asked a few questions. He assured me it should just work, since all manufacturers are using an agreed standard.

I was disappointed because he couldn't offer any advice. I came home and looked up the parts again, and found a page listing a dealer's manual. In that manual one can find stuff not normally known by individuals on the bicycle discussion forums. One of the items was an adjustment screw I'd never noted before, and was frankly hidden on the new shifters. And it was way out of adjustment. So I tightened it down all the way and noticed that the cable moved a lot less -- it had previously moved too much with each stroke of the lever.

So I tried it again and this time I was able to get it installed and working properly. Not ideal, mind you, but it works and shifts a lot better than the old parts. It's just a case of things coming together to prod me to take another look at the whole thing. I had read enough about it before to know what was mechanically allowable, so my mind was ready for that final detail.

The bike is now upgraded as much as I'm gonna get it for awhile. I suppose that means the chaos can begin. Watch out!

[jaybreak]

So I tried it again and this time I was able to get it installed and working properly. Not ideal, mind you, but it works and shifts a lot better than the old parts. It's just a case of things coming together to prod me to take another look at the whole thing. I had read enough about it before to know what was mechanically allowable, so my mind was ready for that final detail.

I get these little revelations here and there with the bike. I say "revelations" but I really mean my wandering mind noticing the obvious. The latest episode of this came from the fact that my rear wheel would go out of alignment here and there when I shifted or went over a bump, and start rubbing against the seat stay. There was too much play on the rear dropout and the wheel would twist no matter how tightly I made the quick release. Turns out there were these tiny screws on either side of the rear dropout to fine tune the alignment, and they weren't engaged at all with axle. Just had to screw them when the wheel was aligned correctly and they finally stayed put. Duh!

[IainH]

Nothing like a factory manual, whether it's a bicycle, automobile or motorcycle. Digital versions for my sporty run around $15 but, if you're working on anything nothing is better than the physical book and the only one I've found so far was $130!!!!! I'll keep looking. I have $25 Clymer, which is ok but, is universal to all ironhead sporties. H-D built them from 1957- '85 plus Harley has a peculiarity; they have early and late year versions. That's two models per year except '57 so 28x2= 56 plus the 1957= 57 distinctly different models. They evolved each half year. I just specialize in one the early 1984 xlh1000.I can also tear down and rebuild a small block Chevy V8 in my sleep, I'm fairly competent with Chevy 4 pots too. No community can flourish without a grease monkey. Pick me! Pick me!

[Ed Hurst]

Fred Reed likes to say that women could run the world just fine without men until the next oil change. There's a place for those of us who can, when required, stop to pay attention to the details. And we learn most when the lesson comes through pain.

[IainH]

Fred Reed likes to say that women could run the world just fine without men until the next oil change. There's a place for those of us who can, when required, stop to pay attention to the details. And we learn most when the lesson comes through pain.

Fred is funny, I would vote for him as dictator. I have more in common with him than I did with Trump and Fred's policies are closer to my own. I particularly endorse his "oil well" policy. A fit use for Oprah.