Evening star., 1897-03-13
|AhDRlDERS s.

of marking the wheel are numerous, and
there are a number of methods that can
he used. Some scratch mark on the en-
anel of the lower bar of the frame, where
it is seen by everybody, and where it does
not mar the general appearance of the
machine. Another way is to scratch off a
small portion of the enamel, and let the
mark be eaten on the steel frame by acids.
coat OF enamel VIII parity hide the
mark, but not completely. The method of
making such a mark is follows ScraDe
Off small portion of the enamel, and
thoroughly clean the tube. Cover the spot
with grease and let it harden. Take a
sharp-pointed iron instrument and scratch
TIE name, initials mark on the spot. Pour
carbolic acid the marks and the in
scription will be transferred to the frame
The grease will prevent the acid from
eating the other parts of the frame
There are stronger acids that could be
used for this purpose, but carbolic acid is
perhaps the best to use.
A French expert has a novel method of
testing the quality of steel that enters
INTO the construction of the bicycle es-
pecially the frame. which shows up all de-
fects. such as Irregularities of structure
faWs, sand holes, and also whether the
steel is made up of one or two kinds of
metal or more. Hydrochoric acid to the
density of 1O62 is used and the piece of
steel to be examined is thrust into the
acid after being first thoroughly polished
Ihe steel when taken out is washed and
repolished and left to dry after being rtlstd
In bath of diluted ammonia The com
position of the steel is plainly shown. and
II the piece tested is desired to be kept
IL IS given coating of transparent var
nsh, which. while not hiding the defects
VIII prevent rusting. Steel is distinguished
from IRON by the application of nitric acid
slightly diluted a few drops of this will
turn steel black, while iron Will assume
the color of grayish white. Ir both
cases the meal is rinsed in water after
tn the ns.,s acld has been applied. Steel turns
PACK on account OF the freeing of the car
Don IN ITS construction by the applca ton
OF the acid, while the effect on iron is to
p14hs II to its almost original color.
What makes a wheel run hard? Is a Giles
tion often asked by riders who are unac-
Iualnted with the construction of the cycle
Inc proper answer would be a number of
causes. Perhaps the best plan for any
rider whose wheel runs hard would be to
make personal diagnosis of the cause.
IL would not take much investigation TO
leFeal the cause. The bearings of the
MEeei nay be too tight or too loose:
they may be so clogged up with dust
anu sufnmed as to prevent the balls
from working freely; the sprocket wheel
may be out of line: the chain NAV
not be running level or may be too tight o.,
may be III need of cleaning or ubrication:
the wheels may be out of true: the frame
may be bent; the head may be too tight:
or there might be number of other minor
troubles. The most common trouble is in
wheel is double that required when the
balls are not too tight or too loose. hu;
runnir g evenly ard perfectly.
The friction is perhaps greater at the
chaln than at any other part of the bi-
cycle, and next to an unadjusted bearing
this is the most common cause for com
paint If too tight it will grind and make
noise plainly heard by the rider; if too
Iccse the chain is apt to jump the spro.
e,s, with more or less serious results to
the rider. Keep it always well cleaned
and well fabricated with graphite or other
substances, and it will work all right if MOI
running out of line or uneven. When the
chaln is in good working order and the
bearings properly adjusted the wheel works
easily and delicately. The weight of the
valve in the tire is sufficient: 10 cause il
TO revolve on its own accord, and keep
swinging, sometimes making several com
piete revolutions.
If the lower side of the chain says and
the upper part is taut it shows that the
front sprocket and cranks are pulling the
wheel, ana the latter. therefore, must run
harder than the former. If the upper part
says and the lower part remains taut the
reverse IS the case and shows the trouble
to be in TIE crank bearings and they
should be examined for bad cones cuo,
balls, or a nad adjustment, often the lat
ter.
Frequently it happens that the chain used
Is not running even: that is it does not
run on level If the chain is in good
working order it should be lying perfectly
level at any point between the two Sprok-
cts. There are a good many wheels which
show at glance that this is not the case
There Is no remedying this defect "a a rea-
sonabie cost, and the best thing IS To get
a new chain. The cause IS generally d,.e
to using a wheel on which the Sprockcts
are out of alignment, and the cnain in
endeavoring 20 adapt itself to circum-
stances wears one-sided. Very often the
alignment of the sprockets can lie deter
mined by squiating. but If This fails a
piece of string can be used, extending from
the outside rim Of one sprocket to the
outside rim of the other.
The oil hole caps a bicycle eSpecia lly
those on the axles and pedal pins are de
signed to keep dust and .lirt from Sitting
into the bearings. The other parts of the
bearings are constructed as near dust
proof possible. and the oil hole offers
bearings. Therefore. it is unw;se to allow
the oil caps to slide around and ger out
of their proper position, especially when
road riding. Thus unprotected the dust
forces it's way into the bearings and mix
ing with the oil other lubrcatiag mix
can be-. If the Gil hole caps are contirnaIlv
left out of place it will not take long to
clog up the bearings, and render the push
Ing of the machine perceptibly harder.
1t is coed idea to pay some attention
to the lamp The weather will soon be ex-
tremely pleasant for evening riding, and
a good lamp is a splendid thing 1t not
only serves to protect the rider from in
fringing upon the law, but aids him con-
siderably IN picking out good riding ground
There have been a good many persons
captured BY the police bicycle squad who