The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-05
FOR BICYCLE RIDERS
SOME SIMPLE DIRECTIONS ron THE
CARE OF THE MACHINES.
How to Clean Them, Tools to- Carry,
Adjusting the Saddle. the Correct
PosItion--yievvs OF Experts.


several readers from notes published from
| time TO time in the wheeling column Of
| this newspaper:
| In the average bicycle there are about 140
steel balls. These are generally distributed
as follows: Front wheel. Is: back wheel IS:
crank shaft, g; pedals. 20 each: front steer
| ing head, 40 These are of different sizes.
| those used in the front wheel generally be-
| ing one-sixteenth OF an inch larger than
| those in the back; the balls In the pedals
are about one-eighth Of an inch in diameter.
With such a number OF points at which
there may be friction 1t win readily be seen
| that even the smallest imperfecrion would
| have very material effect upon the run
ming qualities of the wheel For this reason
more care is taken in their manufacture
| than in that of any other part of the wheel.
The perfect bicycle bali must be absolutely
| exast as to gauge. 1t must be highly pol
| ished, and it must be so hard that even an
emery wheel will have little effect upon it,
| The other parts of the bearings are also
very important, but perfection in them is
| not so difficult to secure as in the balls.
| The ball cups on nearly If not SQuite all
machines are forced into their places
! in the wheel, pedal, or bracket 10y by
| draulc pressure and are practically as solid
| in which they fit. The cones which press the
balls into their places in the cups are re-
movable, and in case of any imperfections
can be easily and cheaply replaced. Perfect
bearings should be the last things to wear
| out in wheel, and years of use should only
be evidenced by bright streak in the ball
races, showing where the balls had run.
| While all wheels are now fitted with what
| are claimed to be "dust-proof' bearings, such
| thing has yet to be devised, and therefore,
!! most of the bearings need frequent cleaning.
| 1t is not necessary, however,, TO take apart
| the bearings in order TO c.ean them; benzine
! poured into the oil holes does the work as
we'll as If each individual part had been
| wiped with clean rag: To clean the bear
| the saddle-post and pour the benzne into
| the tubing, which will generally be found to
have small hole in the bottom which ad,
| mits the berzne to the bracket. This should
| be continued until the benzine runs out per-
| fectiy clear indicating that all the dirt has
| been removed. The bearings, especially those
| on the back wheel, should not be adjusted
too lightly, but should be loose enough to
| allow very little side motion.
rack of the bicyclist as the lubricant, and it
| should be carefully chosen. If too thick 1t
| will gum and cause unnecessary friction; IL
/ too thin it VIII not perform its duty. When
! oil Is introduced into the bearings of any
| piece Of machinery ii forms minute globules
and acts as rollers or balls separating the
lar surrounding it and within which 1t re-
| wolves. In the absence of these little crystals
oil the axle and the inside Of the hub hub grind
| balls which are used in the bearings of
bicycle, Of course, tend to minimize this fric-
dust-proof bearings there would be use for
| very little oil applied at long Intervals OF
| time. But every little particle of dust in
| of the balls, tending to make them slide in
stead OF roll. The best oil is composed
prn1SpaEy Of sperm m and heTosene oils gen
| sene, boiled together. The sperm OIL. while
! in itself good lubricant when first applied.
| is too thick.
| The kerosene which is used to thin the
| sperm oil also cuts out the dirt or other
| foreign substance and aids in keeping the
| USE OF OIL.
| bearings clean. A few drops of oil applied
at the proper time and in the proper place
are much better than whole canful of
| oil, and the best results are obtained from
a small quantity dropped into the bearings
every time the wheel is taken out. There
are some lubricants manufactured which
! are claimed to be equally efficient in clean
| ing the bicycle, lubricating the bearings
and also the chain. but as general thing
the oil which is best for use in the bearings
| is an absolute failure when applied to the
| chain. For the chain a lubricant is neces-
1
links. preventing them from grinding on
| the sprocket wheel, causing that clicking,
| biting noise so familiar to the novice who
has not yet learned to take the proper care
| of his mount. The most approved article
/ for this use is composed of lampblack, kero-
sene and beeswax. These ingredients, when
| mixture that when applied to the chain
| does not collect dust to any great extent.
| is lasting and makes the chain run smooth
! ly over the sprocket. In the absence Of 9TH
| er chain lubricant, common brown soap
forms excellent temporary substitute.
After spreading the lubricant along the
| links the chain should be wiped off, enough
of the lubricant will adhere to answer all
| purposes.
Il is not necessary now to clean the pedal
bearings to oil them more than twice a
| year. in the pedal, dust-prooof bearings, so
| called, have reached a high degree of per-
| lection, and the dustiest or muddiest road
| may be ridden on wheel equipped with high
| grade pedals without fear of dirt grinding
| into and injuiring the cones and ball-cups. A
poorly constructed or nimperIec t designed
| any other part of the wheel. The burs on
| the end of the pedal axle may become loose
cranks. and thus throw off the foot of the
| rider at every revolution, or they may be-
| come loose and allow the top of the pedal to
strike the crank hanger as Ii comes around;
| in fact, there are thousand and one little
| troubles for which the pedal may be response.
| bic. Crank-hangers have also been a source
! OF trouble, the almost universal use Of the
cotter pin by which the crank is keyed to
| the shaft being chiefly at fault. 1t is very
| hard matter to key on these cranks in such
| a manner as to prevent them from working
| loose on the axle and causing squeaking or
| grinding. Many wheels have devices now
| which do away with the cotter pin. Toe
| clips while ridiculed by a great many riders.
| are very useful at times, both in ascending
| and descending steep hills. With their aid a
| rider is able to apply nearly fourth more
power, either pushing ahead or back-pedal-
| ling. They may be attached 10 either rubber
| or "rat-trap" pedals. and can be used or not,
at the option of the rider.
A poorly adjusted saddle may cause an in
jury that will last a lifetime. The front of
the seat should be lower than the back, but
not so low as to cause the rider TO slip for
ward or cause the greater part of his weight
TO rest the handle-bars. Women in par
t.cular should be careful in this respect, and
instructors cannot impress too strongly the
Importance of a proper adjustment of the
saddle. Many riders prefer the saddle placed
well forward over the pedals. while others
ride with their seats behind the upright
post, which fits into the frame. However,
1t is conceded by experts that the proper
method is to put the rider as nearly over the
pedals as possible. Many saddles are now
made with a broad fat back and .ery
narrow front. and some well-knoYn makers
have discarded the nose entirely, leaving
the saddle simply broad. fiat seat. Some
newly invented contrivances are arranged
~ I1o m, r,,nv