Lubrication..

[Maty]

So as per this thread,

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... to use a bike again, got a problem....

I got the old bike out again last week. So far it's going great, first couple of rides were real killers and made me realise how unfit I actually am. Since then it's getting much easier and I am already seeing the effects, plus a mate of mine has took the plunge and ordered himself a brand new GT hard tail to come riding with me!

Anyway, the bike has been stood for around 11 years so I am guessing it needs some lubrication. I have had a new cog cassette thing fitted at the back and a new chain, so they should be ok.

The bit I am worried about is the crank. At the moment there is years worth of crud built up on/around it, so I am planning on jet washing it all off. Do I need to "run" some kind of lubricant into where the pedals go through the frame, or will this be ok?? Everything sounds ok, no clicks or rubbing etc, but better to be safe than sorry.

The other areas I am not sure about are the wheels, do they need some form of oil/grease in them??

Thanks,

[stu8975]

Do not jet/pressure wash it...garden hose is sufficient, all you will do is blast away any grease thats left in the bottom bracket/hubs, then you will have to strip it and regrease it (unless its half decent and has sealed cartridge bearings). You can normally tell if its needs doing by simply spinning the cranks (unhook the chain from the chainset), it will sound dry and rough if theres no grease in there, same applies to the wheels.You can get bike specific degreaser to eat through the crap build up (eg..white lightning clean streak). What bike is it?

Edited by stu8975 on Wednesday 16th September 18:40

[Maty]

I see, I wont go near it with the jet wash then.

I'll try the crank etc tonight, if it is "dry", do I have to take the crank apart to re-grease it or can I just run it in from the edges (if that makes sense)??

The bike is 11 years old, it's a Giant ATX840 - considering its age it runs very well!

I was going to clean the crank (cogs etc) with a bit of petrol on a brush, or WD40, or autoglym engine/machine cleaner, which would you recommend? It's just to get the build up of crap of it.

I also planned to remove the cogs in the rear derailleur, again just to clean the crap out.

[stu8975]

Ah..I remember the bike...'wobbly cassette'. If you know how to take things apart and put them back together you can give everything some fresh grease. Cant make out what style of bottom bracket you have from your pics (regular bearings or sealed cartridge - non serviceable), you can service your hubs by removing the axles and new grease (may or may not need new bearings). As far as cleaning the chainset i'd get some degreaser - pref spray type..I use White Lightning Clean Streak (gears/chain/chainset) to degrease the drivetrain and wash the bike after muddy/dirty rides using Fenwicks FS1. All bike specific ans approx £10 each.Should last you a while as well, i only buy them 2-3 times a year at most and i do a fair few miles.
If you're unsure how to service and want to give it a go yourself, looksy below...
http://bicycletutor.com/

Edited by stu8975 on Thursday 17th September 15:30

[Maty]

stu8975 said:

Ah..I remember the bike...'wobbly cassette'. If you know how to take things apart and put them back together you can give everything some fresh grease. Cant make out what style of bottom bracket you have from your pics (regular bearings or sealed cartridge - non serviceable), you can service your hubs by removing the axles and new grease (may or may not need new bearings). As far as cleaning the chainset i'd get some degreaser - pref spray type..I use White Lightning Clean Streak (gears/chain/chainset) to degrease the drivetrain and wash the bike after muddy/dirty rides using Fenwicks FS1. All bike specific ans approx £10 each.Should last you a while as well, i only buy them 2-3 times a year at most and i do a fair few miles.
If you're unsure how to service and want to give it a go yourself, looksy below...
http://bicycletutor.com/

Edited by stu8975 on Thursday 17th September 15:30

Yes thats the one Stu! I didn't replace the cassette myself though, bottled it and paid the bike shop and got them to fit a new chain at the same time!

I spun the crank last night and to be honest it sounds fine, which I was suprised at. The wheels also sound ok, so I wont need to take them apart just yet. Bookmarked the help guide though as I do want to start doing these things myself. I did manage to tune my gears myself the other night, took me a while but I now have 18 out 21 gears available, just can't get into the the bottom cog on the back for some reason!!

I've just ordered some of the white lightening stuff so I can get it all cleaned up, thanks for the advice!

[stu8975]

Try adjusting the 'H' screw anti clockwise on your rear mech (quarter turn at a time)...if its screwed in too far you wont get the bottom sprocket (its designed to stop the chain coming off the bottom sprocket and jamming between the frame - 'L' is same only stop it coming off large sprocket and jamming behind cassette and spokes). You may need to loosen cable tension very slightly if it doesnt drop when the screw is backed off, you should be able to notice it slightly move when you turn the screw, if it doesnt then it would point to cable tension being a bit tight (just use the barrel adjuster on rear mech or shifter to fine tune the tension).

[Maty]

Thanks again Stu, I'll give it a try!