things you've discovered while wrenching

[GP_pilot]

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

If it has wheels, a propeller, or a purse it is nothing but trouble. (Or time and money out the window, depending on personal experience)

I'm reminded of a Navy joke: If it floats, goes fast, or has B(,)(,)bs, always rent never buy.

Tips
- Compressed air to install/uninstall grips
- If you're past were you think the bolt should have tightened but isn't, don't continue unless you have time & patience to burn
- Only repair what IS broken, otherwise you will find many more troubles and repairs required and not so required

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

If it jams, force it; if it breaks, it needed replacing, anyway.

When in doubt, get a bigger hammer.

Do you work for me?

[DownhillWebKook]

I get more hurt working on my bike than riding it. Think chain rings and brake rotors and then think of knuckles. And, because I insist on working on my bike out of the stand (even though I own a really nice one), my back ends up in a shambles. What a maroon!

[ThinkFast]

When frustrated, or pissed off, a few properly placed cuss words often help.

[Big Guy]

ALWAYS make sure the allen key is sitting solidly in the bolt before you apply the torque.

[mcmtb]

Never leave home without a vice and hammer (a big one).

[schleppp]

Originally Posted by Evil Chocula

I shoudn't 'f with rear derailleurs.

OH that is so true for me too!!!

[92se-r]

Tighten and tighten and tighten till it gets loose, then another quarter turn.

When rebuilding a RS fork, when the manual says cover the thing with a towel, do it. Or you will have oil on your ceiling dripping all over the place and you will look like you just got out of a really bad porn movie.


Terrin

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by mcmtb

Never leave home without a vice and hammer (a big one).

Blow and a ball-peen? Speed and a sledge? Nitrous and a nail-driver? Rufie and a Roofing hammer?

I never leave home without my vices. They seem to follow me everywhere I go.

[Innes]

Originally Posted by autoduel

Wear old clothing.
I don't how many sets of work clothes I greased up just because I felt like adjusting something on the bike before dinner. Some pepole sit on the couch and watch TV to relax, I like to wrench.

Same here. Most of my work clothes have some small spot, stain, etc. from coming home from work, seeing my bike in the stand, and deciding to clean the drivetrain.

[slowSSer]

another that might have been covered: when removing a stubborn pedal on the drive side, drape something thick over the drive train- why?

because knuckles + force required to remove said stubborn pedal + chain rings = you donating blood to your bike and your bike donating grease to you.

oh wait- does that constitute a "bond" with your bike by swapping fluids

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

oh wait- does that constitute a "bond" with your bike by swapping fluids

sounds more like "knowing" your bike in the Biblical sense...

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

sounds more like "knowing" your bike in the Biblical sense...

no worries- I'm not scottish!

[tkblazer]

here's a new one, don't ask me how i know....

when trimming down cable housing for a new bike, make sure you pull all the cable out before making the cut

[TURNERob]

I've learned that it is a good thing that most people can't work on their own stuff......because that is where I come in.

Really the only bad thing I can think of that I've done is when I was drilling out cable stops to run full housing that you should tape off the frame around the cable stop to avoid......uhhhh, you know.

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by TURNERob

I've learned that it is a good thing that most people can't work on their own stuff......because that is where I come in.

hey, i may have missed it but did u and George ever vid/post the build of his turner. seem to recall a post on that topic that suggested may be used as tutorial as well as other build/repair/maintenance stuff (e.g. fork, wheels, etc.)

if so...where??? and if not...still planning or killed.

thanks

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by Kid A

hey, i may have missed it but did u and George ever vid/post the build of his turner. seem to recall a post on that topic that suggested may be used as tutorial as well as other build/repair/maintenance stuff (e.g. fork, wheels, etc.)

if so...where??? and if not...still planning or killed.

thanks

Well we have started a website and have made some decent progress but have sort of come to a stall lately. We've both been busy but need to get back into it and try and finish it up and then we'll take the website public. I'm sure we'll make a post once it goes up, thanks for asking though!

[OldDogDan]

a) Better to wait and do the upgrade Sunday afternoon with a beer than Friday midnight before a morning ride.
b) Not going well? stop, stare at it & think before grabbing the BFH. That's when you find the things like the bad cable housing end.
c) Cheap Tricks (could be a whole new thread):
1. No stand? Loop of rope or webbing from an overhead beam. Around the seat to raise the rear wheel. Around the stem to raise the front wheel. Wedge the opposite wheel against something solid. Works for pretty much all adjustments, but not for things where you need the BFH.
2. No chain whip? Plumber's strap wrench is great at 1/2 the price. Even cheaper in a pinch -- jam the cassette teeth in a soft pine 2x4. but you still gotta buy the freewheel wrench.
3. Can't afford lock-ons? Put the grips on with contact cement -- solid! Take 'em right off with a squirt of brake cleaner.
4. Headset press? A really big C-clamp & two blocks of wood, done carefully.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by mechmann

this is classic...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-iqdVF3quUk

[uzziboy]

nothing like wrenching at 1 am just put new goodrich brake lines on. the only time i take my bike to the shop is to have my wheels fixed and soon i will learn to that. the best advice i can give is take your time!!!! if it takes two days to fix a chain so be it, watch how everything comes apart do it a few times and it will become second nature eventually