One step back, Or Bugger! as it is sometimes known!
I set about putting right all those little things that bug you when you get a "new" old bike, the worn bit here, the missing screw there, well I am sure you get the idea. For me it was fit the newly aquired sprocket cover, which first meant getting some allen bolts, which then meant cutting down the only ones I could get locally, but we persevere and the jpb is done.
Next it was time to look at the steering geometery, as I had noticed that when riding in a straight line, the handlebars were off centre, so undo fork leg clamps, rest front wheel against post and give a little push on the bars to get things back in line, re-tighten clamps, then a quick ride down the road and back to check, and all is much better, but the bars still seem a little out. Now my old bike was used mainly for off road use, and as such the odds are on the fact it had been dropped more than once, and to that fact, it has already replacement Renthal bars fitted at some time in the past, so I was wondering if these had a slight bend in them. with the bars duly removed, they looked pretty straight when laid on a flat surface, so I had a look at the rubber mounted handlebar holders, and the left one looked a little off line, so I put a socket on the retaining nut to remove it and , snap. off comes the nut with the thread, so I guess it has been hit at some time, so no riding for me this weekend, as I now need to source a new handlebar mount.
So when you are cleaning your bike, and you see that little thing that niggles you so much you reach for the tools, take a deep breath, reach for the keys instead, and go for a ride, the little niggle can wait, you know it will only end in tears anyway, so why bother now.
I set about putting right all those little things that bug you when you get a "new" old bike, the worn bit here, the missing screw there, well I am sure you get the idea. For me it was fit the newly aquired sprocket cover, which first meant getting some allen bolts, which then meant cutting down the only ones I could get locally, but we persevere and the jpb is done.
Next it was time to look at the steering geometery, as I had noticed that when riding in a straight line, the handlebars were off centre, so undo fork leg clamps, rest front wheel against post and give a little push on the bars to get things back in line, re-tighten clamps, then a quick ride down the road and back to check, and all is much better, but the bars still seem a little out. Now my old bike was used mainly for off road use, and as such the odds are on the fact it had been dropped more than once, and to that fact, it has already replacement Renthal bars fitted at some time in the past, so I was wondering if these had a slight bend in them. with the bars duly removed, they looked pretty straight when laid on a flat surface, so I had a look at the rubber mounted handlebar holders, and the left one looked a little off line, so I put a socket on the retaining nut to remove it and , snap. off comes the nut with the thread, so I guess it has been hit at some time, so no riding for me this weekend, as I now need to source a new handlebar mount.
So when you are cleaning your bike, and you see that little thing that niggles you so much you reach for the tools, take a deep breath, reach for the keys instead, and go for a ride, the little niggle can wait, you know it will only end in tears anyway, so why bother now.
