I think it needs some flowers.
When I came out of Ye Olde Bicycle Shoppe the other day, having purchased the basket, I found an older gentleman, fully suited up, gazing upon my steed, Blue Jamis. I inquired as to the object of his fascination, whether I was parked in his spot, or what, bud! It seems he was interested in my method of parking the bike, leaning the pedal on the curb, in the manner I learned on an AYH ride, oh so many years ago. As it was quite windy, he remarked with his luck, if he tried that, the wind would blow it over.
Sunday, after I posted to the blog, I took apart the rear wheel to see if I could find the source of the squeak. I thought I might have trouble with taking the freewheel off, but a MIGHTY KICK to the wrench did the job. I finally found the correct cone wrench (note to self: get dups of correct cone wrenches!) and got the axle out of the wheel. I have Specialized hubs with sealed bearings. I installed them (the bearings) before 1998. I know, as Bob L. helped me, and he died in 1998. So I haven't done any maintenance WHATSOEVER to them.
So what did I find? Well, one bearing looked ok, nice and greasy. I squirted some more Phil's green grease in there. The other bearing...not so much. Is the grease supposed to be dry, crumbly, and reddish? I think not! I tried to clean out as much as I could, and squirted some Phil's in there and worked it around. The Phil's turned un-green. I put the whole thing back together, as it's GOT to be better than it was. But it seriously needs replacing.
Now, I actually HAVE a set of bearings to put in! Wowsers! But I remember the last time it was REALLY hard to get the old ones out. And Bob L. was a machinist, so he KNEW about these things. So this will be REALLY SCARY. I don't want to mess it up, like that headset fiasco!
I did not ride the bike today, Monday, as I had a doctor visit.
Just so we're straight, here!
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