Ian H
Ancient randonneur
Well, renovation is probably over-egging it. I got our ancient folder out of storage the other day, pumped up the tyres and gave it a clean. Discovered a broken rear spoke. Of course I had nothing of that length in stock, so had to measure it and order one. In removing the wheel (having worked out how to do so), I found a serious split in the tyre. The front one was also rather worn, so an order for tyres, spoke, and unrelated sundries went off to SJS on Good Friday. They delivered the following Wednesday.
The hub, a Torpedo 3-speed, was a bit rough, so I took it apart (who has a 22mm cone spanner? I had to improvise one), cleaned and regreased the bearings. Reassembled, it ran smoothly.
Fitting the new tyre was difficult. Not only was it tight to fit but it wouldn't seat even at very high pressure. So I removed it, cleaned the inside of the rim thoroughly, replaced the tape as it was displaced, and refitted. After much manipulation and several inflations, it popped into place. I'm not sure I'd want to do a roadside repair.
The next job was to replace the old halogen lamp with an LED. I had an old Inoled which will give a much better beam. It required a different bracket and some bending to get to clear the front bag block. Soldered the wires and sealed in shrink-sleeve.
I didn't have a spare dynamo rear LED, so it would have to be battery. Someone had given me, many years ago, an automatic, rack-fitting one. It fitted perfectly in place of the original. Light & movement sensors activate it. Batteries seem to last forever.
A quick road-test around the town, with a stop to fine-tune the gear change, and it all works. Got to clean the front bag now.
The hub, a Torpedo 3-speed, was a bit rough, so I took it apart (who has a 22mm cone spanner? I had to improvise one), cleaned and regreased the bearings. Reassembled, it ran smoothly.
Fitting the new tyre was difficult. Not only was it tight to fit but it wouldn't seat even at very high pressure. So I removed it, cleaned the inside of the rim thoroughly, replaced the tape as it was displaced, and refitted. After much manipulation and several inflations, it popped into place. I'm not sure I'd want to do a roadside repair.
The next job was to replace the old halogen lamp with an LED. I had an old Inoled which will give a much better beam. It required a different bracket and some bending to get to clear the front bag block. Soldered the wires and sealed in shrink-sleeve.
I didn't have a spare dynamo rear LED, so it would have to be battery. Someone had given me, many years ago, an automatic, rack-fitting one. It fitted perfectly in place of the original. Light & movement sensors activate it. Batteries seem to last forever.
A quick road-test around the town, with a stop to fine-tune the gear change, and it all works. Got to clean the front bag now.
