Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-09-10
CARE FOR THE WHEEL.
4 Few Suggestions ior the Wheslwoman's
Notebook.

The life of "A bicycle depends in great
measure upon the amount of care be-
slowed upon it, and the best machine
made Will soon deteriorate and wear out
II neglected by its owner while The care
full whcelwoman will be rewarded for her
trouble by the prolonged existence of her
mount.
First comes cleanliness. and ii is impos-
sible to pay too great attention to this
matter. When a machine comes home
wet and dirty from a ride through mud
and rain, it should be attended to imme-
diateiy-not put away for a more conye-
nient season. when the mud will have
caked and rust. that greatest of all enc
mics. set in.
The spokes and cnamelled parts Of tbe
machine should be wiped with damp
sponge. then dried; the nickel plating
rubbed with dry cloth or channels. and
the axles and joints carefully cleaned.
Many and varied are the brushes sold
for this purpose. but a cloth is all that is
strictly necessary; indeed the whole art
of cleaning machinery. as practised in
large machine factories, consists in fric-
ton with rags.
If brush is preferred, an aged tooth
brush Is as good as anything you can
buy A little parafiin oil rubbed over dir
~ parts is excellent for cleansing and
Frightening them. but care must be taken
that it, or any other OIL does not get up-
pii ZIG titNS, do II IL IHUSl injurious to
india-rubber.
For polishing nickel plating metal pol-
ish may be used. The chain should be
thoroughly cleansed and dried. and then
have tiny bit of graphite put on each
link.
The saddle is a simple matter. A little
vasellne or leather paste rubbed in occa-
sionally will prevent the leather from be-
coming hard and cracking
For lubricating a machine a thin oil
y nd na ha docs ...zt
used. Oil such as is used for guns is ex-
cellcnt besides variety of useful oils to
be had at any cycle shop. A little vase
line rubbed upon the nickel plating pre-
serves 1t from tarnish and keeps it in
good order; ii should always be applied
before long journey or if the machine
is put by for any length of time
Many wheelwomen err on the side of
too much oil. AS a rule a small quantity
of oil for every hundred miles ridden am
ply suffices. but if the machine has been
out in wet weather a little oil should al
ways be applied
Once IL season the bearings should be
examined, as they require adjustment,
and a thorough inside cleaning should
take place. Every bicycle is worthy of a
stand, and now that these can be pur-
chased for such small amount every
wheelwoman who values her tires and
wishes TO clean her machine in comfort
should purchase one Bicycles should
houses or basements;' damp is most in
furious to their constitutions and their
dwelling place must be perfectly dry.
When machines are put away for any
length of time. the tires must on no ac-
count be debated. as cracks will enSue
With deplorable consequences. The tires
should be left nearly full of air, the
bearings oiled and the outer parts of the
machine covered with vaselne.
For country riding a brake is one of the
Inn. t.,,,t - 81,
rider must see that it is in good working
order and works easily.
Saddles are a vexed question, and it is
Impossible to lay down any rule with re-
gard to them. One mans meat is an
other man : poison. and the saddle that
suits one woman. and upon which she can
ride many miles with the greatest ease
is an object of torture To another cyclist
Here individuality is the only test, and
every wheelwoman can experiment upon
different saddles until she finds the one
best suited to her comfort.
The lamp is an Important point and a
thoroughly reliable one casting good
light should be chosen. medium-sized
lamp is best and it must burn we'll in Il
draught
Bells also require some choice, and too
small ones. also cheap ones should be
avoided. They should give a good volume
of sound: the little ones. with feeble tim
kle do not make themselves sufficiently
heard in the roar of traffic when the
wind is high.
Every one who tours likes to know the
mileage done, and to this end many cy-
clOmeters are on the market. Most of
our American makes are excellent. and
the smaller the surface of the cyclone
ter the less liable it is to damage. OF
more expensive makes the kind that reg
listers the mileage of separate trips
well as the total and also those that ring
at every mile. are much liked.
A al Di m a n