Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-04
HINTS FOR SPRING.

In the minds of majority of wheeImen
the question is the advisability of securing
new mount. This is..the season when
such question is brought up, and even
though the mount of ;fast season may be
i'll good trim. the feeling and inclination is
!! In the direction of getting "a new machine
Among good many Of the young riders
T. Is the fashion to get a new wheel each
year. Sometimes one years riding on his
m achihe Is sufficient to make it practical
wreck. What the wear of hard riding has
rot accomplished neglect has completed,
and the machine looks disreputable. The
more mature riders who do not give their
mounts one-quarter this work of the
young man, and who take good care of it.
may not aeem IL advisable to get a new
wheel each season. The life of a bicycle
mas frequently been. a matter of discus
slen In the newspapers. but it all depends
upon its use and care
II one is determined to get q new wheel
and to trade ,antold one,as part payment
1T is well to consider the allowance made
on the old wheel by the dealer. With the
reduction In the price of new wheels the
value OF secondhand machines has de-
creased even at, a greater proportion. Pos
sibly the allowance made may be SO small
tfat 1t would be better for the rider If he
retains his old wheel. 1t may be worth
more to you than 1t is to the dealer 1t
VIII be good to use as a general utility ma
cfiEe. In rainy weather or when the
streets are wet you can use it, and when
the roads are in any way muddy the old
wheel can be taken out This saves wear
and tear on the new machine, and NAV re-
SUIT in its lasting two seasons instead OF
one. me improvements made in machines
at present are not conspicuous that one
can tell this seasons or last years mount
ihen again with two wheels on hand one
Is certain OF always having a machine to
ride. The cost of keeping two wheels is
no greater than keeping one
Now as to the old wheel. AS matter
or economy 1t can be fixed I'D in shape for
another seasons work, and look almost
ike a new wheel. for small fraction of
the cost Of new mount. Because the
t ,,s, are worn out is no sign that new
wheel should be secured Because the
eramenng may be worn Off is no fndica-
ton that the machine is a wreck. even
though 1t may look disreputable. Be-
cause eau the nickeling is rusty is no sign of
the need OF a new machine. Look at the
bearings. II the balls are in good condi-
ton, and the cones and cups do not show
any uneven or exceptional wear the ma
cnine VIII easily stand another season.
Even II the balls are no good. and the
cones and cups badly worn, these parts
may be replaced at nominal cost In
most cases the greatest need of old wheels
Is thorough cleaning OF the bearings to
make 1t run lightly, and a new coat of
enamel to make it attractive Both ini-
provements can be secured at a cost of
not more than S.
thorough cleaning of a wheel is the
best thing imaginable. It brings out all
OF the defects, and IL enough defects are
discovered the owner can settle for him.
SELF whether it is better to get new
wheel. 1t may be that the defects arc
trivial and If one is of mechanical turn of
! mind at all he may be able to make the
repairs Should one or two spokes happen
a nvAn ,1r0 ...sp--
as dealer, and at less cost. One can buy
spokes Of the same thickness as those in
the wheel tor 10 cents each. Remove the
old spoke. unscrewing it from the nipple
at the rim Run the new spoke through
the hub and place the thread end in the
nipple and turn the latter by means Of q
small pair of pliers, or better still with the
aid OF nipple wrench. If the cones or
OF the dealer and put them In place your
self. New balls can also be bought cheaply
ana placed where needed. II the dealer
does all of these repairs he not only charges
wCrkMen. re 9-
A rider can put On anew coat Of enamel
A can Of enamel does not cost much, and
a camers hair brush is the only fmple-
ment required Clean the frame OF the
wheel with wet rag and get on every bit
OF dirt; and then apply the enamel. One
A better showing can Be made If the rider
takes the trouble to sandpaper all the old
enamel from the tubing, ana place the new
&C at on the shining steel. by this method
no breaks will be Visible. Any person
| handy with paint Brush Can do this. In
good many repair shops this method Is
pursued. while In others tho. dipping method
Is used, which is claihned by some to be
inferior to the hand applied process. The
Dipping Is done in q large tank. holding a
number of gallons of enameiing fluid. The
entire frame Is dipped in the solution. and
then hung up over the tank Sometimes
the enamel drips Oh unevenly. and has to
be dipped again. When thoroughly dried
the frame is placed N an oven, and the
enamel baked.
Nickel plating cannot be so easily done
by the rider. but there are number of
places in this city making g. speciality OF
] such process, where the handle bars and
other parts OF the wheel can - renickeied
at small cost.
Financial Intervals.
From the Chicsxo Record.
"A little auarrei now and then helps !
| love amir"
eyes; the Ioyer quits buyirg roses ana
gets chance 10 catch up With has heard
bnl.'s So 3 ss's't = =