Evening star., 1896-11-28

en- these than any other bearings on th,
machine, though it is easy enough to de-
termine whether it is too loose by pulling
showing in a direct line with the 6xle,
by means of the crank shaft. If the crank
pin key can be forced ont, which is a
rather difficult job on most wheels, the
crank shaft and pedal taken off, the bear
;ngs can be easily tightenad. Care should
be taken in driving out Il crank-pin key SO
as not to mash the thread on its head,
otherwise it would require additional labor
to screw the nut back in place.
To those who clean ihsi wheels especial
ly the ball chambers, it IS suggested that
vaseline be put in the opening and the balls
placed in afterward. This makes a ma
chine run good deal easier. TEe vaseline
has more body than oil and Will last much
longer. lubricating the bearings, and per-
hitting them to work more freely
The rat-trap pedals. which have been in
greater use than ever this year. be re-
paired and kept in service for next year,
If SO desired. In majority Of cases the
only trouble with the pedals is that the
points have worn down to such an extent
that the shoe will not secure a firm hold.
This be easily repaired. An ordinary
triangle file will do the work, and the
pedals can be sharpened as good as new
In this connection 1t is well to notice that
many people object to using the rat-trap
pedals, claiming that it tears their shoes
all to pieces, making holes through the
soles. This may be SO. but there is a good
deal In getting on to the knack Of pushing
the wheel, in which case the soles do not
suffer at all. There are a number Of cases
where the points of the pedals have been
worn down almost even, while the shoe has
escaped with no injury at all. 1t seems
smooth. yet this has been done, and the
only way to keep the pedal in service is to
file new teeth in the pedal. OF course the
pedal will only stand two or three filings,
as the top piece containing the teeth is sell
dom over quarter Of an inch in width.
There are some people who at the time
wondered why the Eugene Field Monument
October 81, which proved to be an ideal
day. to Wednesday, November IL. which
was .murky and damp, and totally unfit
for bicycle races. Now that the thing
Is over there is no harm in telling the
cause. 1t was originally intended to
hold the meet on the last Saturday in
October. and the projectors did not change
their minds until some time In the forenoon
of that day. 1t was discovered that
through Al oversight there had been a
failure to make application for a sanction
to the league racing board. Without loss
Of time telegram was sent to Chairman
Gideon, at Philadelphia asking that the
sanction be given by telegraph. No answer
came. and the projectors were obliged to
postpone the meet until a sanction could be
secured.
On account Of the large number Of acci-
dents to bicycle riders through the medium
| of the street cars. the railroad companies
havesfound 1t wise to issue number OF
| regulations regarding the conduct Of the
| railroad and its employees to cyclists One
| Of the regulations makes it compulsory or
| the men to drive away all riders who wheel
| alongside Of the cars and grasp hold of the
| handle bars or other projections Of the pub
| lie conveyance This rule has been in force
all along. though now and then a wheel.
man manages to coma out q little bit ahead
| by arguing with the conductors
| Hear you had church fair at YOU
| house, Baker,
| yep"
| what did you sell?'