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Mar. 1st, 2008 06:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
urocyonToday ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
vatine went to the Royal Artillery Museum in Woolwich. I was hoping Roger would be driving so that maybe I could impose on them to go pick up an aquarium that's also in SE18, but that didn't work out. Sugar is growing very quickly, so she and Jaws are in pretty bad need of a bigger tank now. I guess I'll just have to find a closer secondhand one. (And get a British driving license!)
This afternoon I played bike mechanic, since the weather was a lot better than yesterday. I oiled things all around, did a minor brake adjustment, and swapped saddles between the two bikes. I think the one that was on mine just needs replaced, though Ingvar seemed to think it was OK for his needs. Getting one on there that was actually wide enough that my sit bones didn't overlap it helped a lot! *shakes head* Ingvar claimed the bikeclanwilliam was kind enough to give us, and I still need to give it a good tuneup--ran out of time today. I finally got the new light set on mine, too, even if the taillight did need a temporary zip tie fix. Why manufacturers regularly include mounting bolts that won't fit an MTB frame, I don't know. Zip ties are almost as handy as duct tape, and a lot more suitable for attaching things to a bicycle. :) I had to stick the new mirror on there with one, as well. It's probably time to pick up some appropriately sized mounting hardware.
My bike has been having some trouble downshifting on the rear, so I tried tightening the (rather old and rusty) cable. As I found yesterday, it would shift down, reluctantly, when at a complete stop. The derailer adjustment looked OK otherwise. The shifting feel improved with the cable tightening, but the main shifting problem remained.
I got frustrated--suspecting that parts I didn't have were needed--and thought it best to ride up the A118 to Cycle King (formerly Discount Cycles) in Chadwell Heath. Riding into a headwind without being able to downshift certainly gave me a workout. :) It was a little embarrassing, staggering into the shop, winded enough that I had some difficulty getting the bike and myself through the doorway without incident. They did have a mechanic working today, who was very pleasant and helpful. As I was afraid, the problem was with the shifter sticking. Luckily, that's a known problem with that model, and squirting it full of WD-40 fixed it--temporarily, at least. That model of shifter is pretty old, and more recent systems are more integrated, so it'd be hard just to replace the shifter with something suitable. The mechanic suggested just adding more WD-40 over the next couple of days, and riding it until it died. (Sounded about right to me.) It'll probably be less trouble and expense just to replace the bike when the shifter totally gives up the ghost. I've been pleased enough with that shop that it's the first place I'll look for a new one, and their selection doesn't look bad. I'm actually tempted to get a good basic 3-speed or a 7-speed cruiser, which should fit my needs fairly well.
Tinkering was pleasant, even if I didn't get everything fixed myself. :) I really enjoy messing with things like that. I've considered getting bike mechanic certification, since it looks fairly easy to do and I think I'd enjoy professional tinkering, but suspect the demand isn't very high.
vatine went to the Royal Artillery Museum in Woolwich. I was hoping Roger would be driving so that maybe I could impose on them to go pick up an aquarium that's also in SE18, but that didn't work out. Sugar is growing very quickly, so she and Jaws are in pretty bad need of a bigger tank now. I guess I'll just have to find a closer secondhand one. (And get a British driving license!)This afternoon I played bike mechanic, since the weather was a lot better than yesterday. I oiled things all around, did a minor brake adjustment, and swapped saddles between the two bikes. I think the one that was on mine just needs replaced, though Ingvar seemed to think it was OK for his needs. Getting one on there that was actually wide enough that my sit bones didn't overlap it helped a lot! *shakes head* Ingvar claimed the bike
clanwilliam was kind enough to give us, and I still need to give it a good tuneup--ran out of time today. I finally got the new light set on mine, too, even if the taillight did need a temporary zip tie fix. Why manufacturers regularly include mounting bolts that won't fit an MTB frame, I don't know. Zip ties are almost as handy as duct tape, and a lot more suitable for attaching things to a bicycle. :) I had to stick the new mirror on there with one, as well. It's probably time to pick up some appropriately sized mounting hardware.My bike has been having some trouble downshifting on the rear, so I tried tightening the (rather old and rusty) cable. As I found yesterday, it would shift down, reluctantly, when at a complete stop. The derailer adjustment looked OK otherwise. The shifting feel improved with the cable tightening, but the main shifting problem remained.
I got frustrated--suspecting that parts I didn't have were needed--and thought it best to ride up the A118 to Cycle King (formerly Discount Cycles) in Chadwell Heath. Riding into a headwind without being able to downshift certainly gave me a workout. :) It was a little embarrassing, staggering into the shop, winded enough that I had some difficulty getting the bike and myself through the doorway without incident. They did have a mechanic working today, who was very pleasant and helpful. As I was afraid, the problem was with the shifter sticking. Luckily, that's a known problem with that model, and squirting it full of WD-40 fixed it--temporarily, at least. That model of shifter is pretty old, and more recent systems are more integrated, so it'd be hard just to replace the shifter with something suitable. The mechanic suggested just adding more WD-40 over the next couple of days, and riding it until it died. (Sounded about right to me.) It'll probably be less trouble and expense just to replace the bike when the shifter totally gives up the ghost. I've been pleased enough with that shop that it's the first place I'll look for a new one, and their selection doesn't look bad. I'm actually tempted to get a good basic 3-speed or a 7-speed cruiser, which should fit my needs fairly well.
Tinkering was pleasant, even if I didn't get everything fixed myself. :) I really enjoy messing with things like that. I've considered getting bike mechanic certification, since it looks fairly easy to do and I think I'd enjoy professional tinkering, but suspect the demand isn't very high.
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Date: 2008-03-01 07:06 pm (UTC)Been a long time and I thought I'd add you again to my current journal because I missed you - hope you don't mind :)
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Date: 2008-03-02 02:36 am (UTC)I added you again, as well.
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Date: 2008-03-02 05:51 am (UTC)Things have changed an awful lot for me since we last spoke - for the better at last! And I'm now a West Country girl in Essex; where in Essex are you? :)
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Date: 2008-03-02 12:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-02 12:15 pm (UTC)Any objections if I add you as well? Dom's told me about you a little and I liked what I heard :)
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Date: 2008-03-02 12:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-02 12:46 pm (UTC)