Timbone
Well-Known Member
It's been two weeks since I completed my first build. I enjoy this thing immensely, but I have already spent countless hours on this thing. I've burned about 2 gallons of gas mix, so I have had some good rides. But I have had several fails, too.
My idea is to ride this thing to work a couple of times per week, and do lots of coffeehouse runs and general errands around the area. I have tried 2 runs into work and I have had 2 fails.
After an initial successful period, I ran into some roadblocks.
I became focused on improving the chain tensioner. I cut out a nice block of 16 gauge metal, drilled out some holes, got a strong spring and a idler pulley from a 9- speed derailleur and went to work.
First plan was utter failure. The chain just rolled off the cog, no matter how I set it up. I even tried using pressure from the spring upwards from near the saddle. Even using the idler pulley it just would not work. My best approach was to use the spring to help hold the top of the tensioner up to maintain support and pressure away from the spokes.
Well, the next morning - while doings first commute run - I had gone about a mile when the chain came off the sprocket and settled into the spokes. In the dark there was little I could do other than observe i had broken one spoke. I dragged it home, skidding the tire badly, then drove to work.
After my workday, I quickly repaired the broken spoke and replaced the wheel, and was cruising nicely. Even though the tire now had a couple of bad spots, I didn't change it. All I had to do was survive 12 miles to work.
The next morning, the bike was running perfectly and I was zooming into work on a brisk morning. Very little traffic and the city was mine. At about 4 miles, I hit an expansion joint on a bridge and very quickly I felt the stark hardness of the asphalt through the machine. Flat!
I yanked the bike out if the drive lane and pondered my options. I decided to soft pedal home. I had made such good time to the bridge that I had plenty of time left to get to work.
Back to the garage after work. I removed the wheel, changed the tire and tube. And replaced the wheel. I am getting very good at this! The first 10 miles of my shakedown cruise went very well. The chain was loose, but was feeding in very naturally and smoothly. My sprocket - at that time, was very close to perfectly true.
But again, on the way home, something changed. The chain started jumping, wanting to jam into the spokes. Somehow, the sprocket was now very out of true. After using a combo of pedaling and cruising under power at a very smooth 15mph, I was able to make it home.
In just a few minutes, I worked the sprocket joint and got it very true. Evidently, the chain has stretched significantly (it's a 415). I figured it would be best to remove another link of chain. Even though there seems to be an excessive amount of slack, I can't remove a full link. No way I could draw it together.
I adjusted the chain tensioner yet again and, to my newbie eye, things look perfect. I'll do another shakedown cruise tomorrow afternoon or evening. My plan is to make a successful commute on Monday.
=Timbone=
My idea is to ride this thing to work a couple of times per week, and do lots of coffeehouse runs and general errands around the area. I have tried 2 runs into work and I have had 2 fails.
After an initial successful period, I ran into some roadblocks.
I became focused on improving the chain tensioner. I cut out a nice block of 16 gauge metal, drilled out some holes, got a strong spring and a idler pulley from a 9- speed derailleur and went to work.
First plan was utter failure. The chain just rolled off the cog, no matter how I set it up. I even tried using pressure from the spring upwards from near the saddle. Even using the idler pulley it just would not work. My best approach was to use the spring to help hold the top of the tensioner up to maintain support and pressure away from the spokes.
Well, the next morning - while doings first commute run - I had gone about a mile when the chain came off the sprocket and settled into the spokes. In the dark there was little I could do other than observe i had broken one spoke. I dragged it home, skidding the tire badly, then drove to work.
After my workday, I quickly repaired the broken spoke and replaced the wheel, and was cruising nicely. Even though the tire now had a couple of bad spots, I didn't change it. All I had to do was survive 12 miles to work.
The next morning, the bike was running perfectly and I was zooming into work on a brisk morning. Very little traffic and the city was mine. At about 4 miles, I hit an expansion joint on a bridge and very quickly I felt the stark hardness of the asphalt through the machine. Flat!
I yanked the bike out if the drive lane and pondered my options. I decided to soft pedal home. I had made such good time to the bridge that I had plenty of time left to get to work.
Back to the garage after work. I removed the wheel, changed the tire and tube. And replaced the wheel. I am getting very good at this! The first 10 miles of my shakedown cruise went very well. The chain was loose, but was feeding in very naturally and smoothly. My sprocket - at that time, was very close to perfectly true.
But again, on the way home, something changed. The chain started jumping, wanting to jam into the spokes. Somehow, the sprocket was now very out of true. After using a combo of pedaling and cruising under power at a very smooth 15mph, I was able to make it home.
In just a few minutes, I worked the sprocket joint and got it very true. Evidently, the chain has stretched significantly (it's a 415). I figured it would be best to remove another link of chain. Even though there seems to be an excessive amount of slack, I can't remove a full link. No way I could draw it together.
I adjusted the chain tensioner yet again and, to my newbie eye, things look perfect. I'll do another shakedown cruise tomorrow afternoon or evening. My plan is to make a successful commute on Monday.
=Timbone=