The Build Begins !

[Mud Pie]

I just picked up my Nel Lusso from Wal-Mart. As I unpacked it from the box, I expected some damage; scratch(es), missing parts, something bent, etc. I'm happy to report it came in perfect condition, nary a scratch on her.

Heck, the box was in perfect condition, nothing poking through.

I put it totally together just to make sure everything is right. No problems. This coming weekend, the break-down/regrease and rebuilding everything will take place. But a brand new bike sure is purty !! Almost a shame to scuff it up by bolting everything on....

I think I may go the Manic Mechanic route and get his adapter to bolt on, the more I look at his product, the more I like it. Seems like such a logical step to take as opposed to bolting/squeezing something on my spokes. I know the rag joint is reliable, I personally feel safer with something bolted on the hub instead of squeezing the spokes....

I can definitely see the quality difference between the Huffy and my Schwinn. I blinged out my Schwinn over the years and couldn't bring myself to putting an engine on it. I think I've waxed the paint and polished the chrome on that Schwinn more times than I have my car.

Wow, I can hi-jack my own post ! Back to the Huffy. Hopefully, 2 weekends from now I can begin the build. I hope it goes relatively painless. I hope.

 

[Mud Pie]

And now it has stalled.....

I took my rear hub apart to check/grease the bearings. While putting it back together, I did something wrong, as the ball bearings on the coaster brake side busted the hub in not one, but three spots !

I'm 50 years old, and I spent my youth tearing coaster brakes apart with no problems, but this time I obviously had something askew.

Monday I have to call Huffy to see if they can sell me a new rim.

Amazing. I've rebuilt car engines, manual trannys, etc., but a simple coaster brake goes tango uniform on me....

 

[Sgt. Howard]

Either the bearing cage came apart (or was put in backwards) or you re-assembled with some foreign material getting ointo the mix- there's my take on it. They will sell you a new a wheel, complete, as that's the smallest unit of the wheel they deal with- keep yer spokes, rim and axle hardware for spares... not that you'll need them.

 

[motorpsycho]

wow, a busted hub in 2 peices from assembling the innards wrong?
I'd have to see a picture to beleive it.
didn't you notice any resistance on the nuts when you were tightening them up?
If the hub broke just by assembling it wrong, this tells you what kind of low quality parts you're dealing with.

 

[Sgt. Howard]

Think about it-properly set up ball bearings have remarkably small tolerances. The nut/bolt operation has no give. Move it at 30MPH with a 200 lb payload and let something hard get into the bearing race- SOMETHING has to give. Fire a rifle with dirt in the bore and you get a similar effect-
the Old Sgt.

 

[Mud Pie]

I guess I should've clarified...I took it apart to grease it up, but didn't. I didn't have any axle grease, but I thought I'd just check it for now. I slid the axle out, then slid it right back in. Nothing really "came apart". And I made sure everything was seated flush by hand. Gave the wrench maybe one half turn and....PING, a little piece goes across the floor.

I called Huffy, a new rim is on it's way. People can say what they want about Huffy, but their customer service is absolutely amazing ! I was on the phone for MAX 4 minutes.

 

[Big Red]

I just picked up my Nel Lusso from Wal-Mart. As I unpacked it from the box, I expected some damage; scratch(es), missing parts, something bent, etc. I'm happy to report it came in perfect condition, nary a scratch on her.

Heck, the box was in perfect condition, nothing poking through.

I put it totally together just to make sure everything is right. No problems. This coming weekend, the break-down/regrease and rebuilding everything will take place. But a brand new bike sure is purty !! Almost a shame to scuff it up by bolting everything on....

I think I may go the Manic Mechanic route and get his adapter to bolt on, the more I look at his product, the more I like it. Seems like such a logical step to take as opposed to bolting/squeezing something on my spokes. I know the rag joint is reliable, I personally feel safer with something bolted on the hub instead of squeezing the spokes....

I can definitely see the quality difference between the Huffy and my Schwinn. I blinged out my Schwinn over the years and couldn't bring myself to putting an engine on it. I think I've waxed the paint and polished the chrome on that Schwinn more times than I have my car.

Wow, I can hi-jack my own post ! Back to the Huffy. Hopefully, 2 weekends from now I can begin the build. I hope it goes relatively painless. I hope.

Hey MP, Instead of the Manic mount you should think about the sprocket mount Sgt. Howard is manufacturing. I have a Manic sitting in my garage but went with the Howard mount instead. With the Manic you either have to use their soft aluminum sprocket or try to drill your sprocket to fit. (good luck getting it straight.) The Howard mount has twice the grip surface, (NO slipping like the manic could.) and you can use the STEEL sprocket that comes with your kit. That means a 9 hole mating point instead of a 3 point like on the manic. It's a heavy duty mount system compared to any other system on the market today.
Shiney Side Up,
Big Red.

 

[Mud Pie]

Sorry for not updating...

I completed my build with absolutely no problems worthy mentioning. I did go with a Howard hub mount from the get-go and I'm EXTREMELY glad I did. His mount is well worth the money, correspondance to and fro was exceptional. If you're on the fence about hub mounts, get his !!

I've only put about 30 miles on my bike so far, and I'm keeping speeds to about 15 mph as I break 'er in. One time I got it up to 22, the ride really smoothed out !

The neighborhood kids come out and stare in awe, the boys ask how much it cost. I can see it now; parents coming over asking me why did I have to ride past their house....

But, am I the only one that is looking to build another MB once your first was completed ? Except now, I have the bug to go big time...I'd like to build a Sportsman Flyer, they just look so sa-weet !! But, they are big coin bikes, I think my wife would kill me...

 

[Big Red]

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Big Red.
Glad ya went with the Howard. I don't see how anyone could find fault with it.