The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-22
Notes For The CyGlerS
CLEANING YOUR WHEEL.

Inc weather OF the last rev days mas
brought fair bicyclienees out in great
numbers. To get the wheel in godd con-
dition by a thorough cleaning will ma
terially aid in keeping it so through the
season, besides making 1t run much cas-
les. If you havenot been riding through
the cold months and your wheel has been
laid by, this overhauling is a necessity.
II you have benn riding allw inter and
have kept your mount in pretty good con-
dition by frequent cleaning it win still be
Of benefit.
Many women have to clean their own
wheels and have no one 10 advise them as
to- the best course to pursue. These few
suggestions are intended for them:
An old pair Of loose gloves will aid to
keep the hands in better condition and
the cleaning will not be the dirty, dis
tasteful work SO many women find it.
A boon to women for cleaning wheels
is revolving brush specially manufac-
tured for cleaning bicycles. II clamps
on the rear fork and revolves 500 times
minute, so it is claimed. 1t is attached
to long flexible tube so every part may
be reached and cleaned perfectly.
brush is a necessity for good clean
ing especially for the hubs, sprocket
wheel and pedals; so, failing the above
use an old soft toothbrush. Special cycle
brushes, however, come with long han
die and a tufte6 end
In making your preparation to clean the
wheel spread out an old piece Of carpet so
that where the wheel touches the floor
it will not be marred. Turn the wheel up
side down on this, resting it on the saddle
and handle bars. Provide yourself with a
quantity OF old cloths Cwashed cotton and
old merino are excellent), some coal oil,
putz and whiting.
Fist remove the dust from the frame
with dry brush. II the rims and
frames are muddy use a damp cloth, but
not too much. and wipe them thoroughly
dry afterward. If the enamel of the
frame appears streaked after using the
wet cloth rub it with a dry piece of cloth
or chamois. Do not use oily rags on the
enameled parts. Then take some tepid
water and a cloth and wash the tires.
The spokes should be cleaned with putz
in the same manner as silver in cleaned
with powder-put on with a small cloth
and then rubbed until polished with an
other one. If your spokes are rusted coal
oil is the most effective thing there is to
remove the rust. Rub with cloth wet
with this until the rust yields; then po-
lish with the putt afterward.
Clean the rims and wheel guard with
benzine. Remove the chain and put it in
a itn can or basin large enough to coil
the chain in, and poor sufficient coal oil
to cover it. Let this soak until perfectly
but let it remain there over night is
still better. Take it out and dry It. then
oil every link with lubricating
oil. Then wipe dry and put on graphite
and the chain will work beautifully.
Before commencing a seasons work, the
bearings of a wheel will do much better
service II well vasellned. To do this, how
ever, the wheel has to come apart and if
you have no one whom you can trust to do
it for you, follow this plan. Flood the
bearings well with coal oil or gasoline, at
the same time spinning the cranks. This
will cut loose and carry off any oil that
has become gummy, and take with it dirt
and sand. Let the wheel stand few min
utes, then put in lubicrating oil. quite a
good bit of it, for the bearings are now per
fectly bare.
Now that the important parts are at
tended to, the things for looks should have
your attention. A thin paste made Of
sweet oil and whiting or silver powder.
applied vigorously with a wooden cloth.
will make the enamel look as when ii
came form the factory. OF course, the
harder the rubbing the higher the pol
ish.
Whiting or silver powder should then
be applied to all the nickeled parts in
the usual way. Then, after a final dust
ing, your steel steed's appearance should
repay all your efforts, and certainly will
do so in running when used.
THE DOCTOR LAUGHED