The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-02-12
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE
BICYCLE.
From the New York Times" and
of Interest to all Who Own
Wheel.


1t is well known that the 1897 BIZ
\ cycles will be an improvement in de-
tai only over the previous years mod
| els, and in consequence many riders
may determine to keep their old ma
/ chimes through another season. 1t
! will be matter of economy for them
4 to do so, but at the same time they
/ will desire their wheels to present a
neat appearance, and not look like the
/ old timers A few ways To accomplish
I this purpose is explained below. BY
/ following the rules, it is possible for a
I wheel of last year, or even of 1873, TO
/ be made as bright aud shining almost
| as a new model. In the first place,
/ the wheel should have been hung up
I in dry place during the winter, in
| such way that the weight would not
rest on the tires, otherwise, ii the tires
/ have been allowed TO lay fiat they are
no doubt no longer mathe matically
/ correct in outline.
Upon starting 10 overhaul the ma
chine, it will lie found that the wheels
turn slowly on account Of the gummed
earrings, the chain will be covered
with dirt aud dust, while tight nuts
Il bent cranks will require more Of
the II, glectful owners attention.
A coating of vaseliue, alterward to
he rubbed off, will be found to bright
en- the nickel parts of the machine.
Then comes the cleansing of what are
the real running parts of the machine
The bearings. The main bearings
are in the front and rear wheels and
at the crank shalt. Literal doses If
common gasoline should be squirted
into each bearing and continued I'M
TIL 1t comes out from the bearings in
lis original color. Care should be ta-
ken that no isoline comes in contact
with the rubber tire, as ii is deleteriuus
in the extreme.
The washing cut of the beaIiags
should he followed by a careful adjust
meut of them. No fixed rue can be
given in this matter, as the bearings
in different wheels are adjusted i'll diff
feTent ways. Any bearing, however,
to run with the maximum efficiency
should I've so set up that the side play
Of the wheel in the frame is practi-
cally nil
The matter of cleaning the hubs can
be followed with the pedals, although
trllle more play is permissible, as a
loose pedal will not directly affect the
running of the machine. The head
hearings do not need &Dmuch cleaning
as the others, the man point being
to adjust them carefully, as the ease Of
steering depends on the freedom with
which the 'front.' wheel answers pres
sure on the bars. There should be 10
play whatever in the head.
m, tlyan or J.1ts hal
should be looked for while adjusting
the earrings. Such pats, if damaged,
should be replaced. In case of
broken ball it is always better to put in
"a new set, as the old ones are bound to
be somewhat worn. Care should he
taken when removing Parts to place
them where they will not be
lost or mixed with Others, so there will
be no confusion in reassembing the
wheel. A tight core should be work
ed carefully aud OF pounded. Ii I'M
successful after few forts, to remove
it, 1t might be better to take it to
comp tent lepairer WHO has the proper
tools Tor that purpose.
y small spoke or nipple wrench
should be used in tightening loose
| spokes. If the wheel is out of true
may be brought / ack ty loo>eumg
spoke where the g Gates dip is nolic-
ed, and by tighteniug spikes which
terminate on the opposite side OF the
hub. A piece of chalk held against
the revolving rim aud steadied by
resting he hand against Il e forks will
reveal the location of he dip.
Ii the rider owns wise it should be
used TO straighten bent ank, other
wise the latter should be sent TO re-
| pairer, as 10 attempt the job with
hammer would ruin it. A bent hau-
| die bar or frame tube should also be
placed i'll the hands Of a competent re-
pairer. a hand grip may be removed
ty heating the bar with II spirit lamp,
holding the latter AS close 10 the grip
as possible. The cement will soften
when the bar is hot and the grip can
be removed with ea.e. In replacing
the grip it must be heated, the cement
sneared on, and the grip pushed
quickly in position.
a full share Of attention should lie
given the chain, which is one of the
vital pats Of the machine. The full
cleansing of it tends to increase the
easy running qualities Of the wheel
l he chain can be 30 marked that the
right side may e known, and removed
by turning oil the small nut VIII CHI is
found on the dttaching lott. The
q ain should e hung on nail with
receptacle beneath it, and thoroughly
washed with gasoline. 1t should i e
poured on the top end and continued
until the fluid or, ps clear from the
bottom link. BY working the
sal Int
dirt and oil will be forced out of tie
rivet h les in the books. The screw
bolt must not be set up tight enough
to bind The side plates when replacing,
and it is advisable to slightly burr the
bolt after setting up the nut, to pre-
vent the latter from working eff.
Tires Should lie carefully looked af-
ter, and if OF securely fastened, should
be- recemenIed. For tits purpose a
good tire cement should be used The
rim should be the roughly cleaned with
ga, oline iefore applying The cement.
After the tire is placed ON the ii q it
should be worked until ii is true"
The adjustment OF the handle bar
and seat post aie matters that the III
der is best suited to do without advire.
Ii SHOULD be remembered, however,
that an easy and comfortable position
on wheel is half the pleasure of lid
ing A retouching Of the enamel
helps to improve the appearanse OF
whet |, for which ordinary brush en-
amel may lie used. The nickel plating
can always be kept bright by an occi,s-
ioual wiping with piece of cbamios.
The least trouble ONE method of
keeping a machine in good conditi n