RL update
1. I fixed my bike, all by my self, and I'm very proud of myself. technical details that no one cares about:
There was this completely nasty buildup of hardened chain grease all over the chain and gears, so I bought the little tool that lets you push the pins that hold the chain out, and degreased it. You are supposed to push the pin out JUST enough so that it is still inside one of the holes on the outer sleeve, but completely outside the inner part, so it is easy to just push the pin back in when you are done. Tragically, I failed that bit, and had to figure out how to get a completely removed pin back where it belonged. Thankfully the internet can tell me all about it, and the moral of the story is that a pair of pliers and a hammer will get you far in life.
I also managed to patch the tube with a hole, and get that all mounted properly again. I haven't had a chance to ride it again because it keeps raining every morning and evening, but whatevs. It seems to be holding air reasonably well. While I was at it, I mounted the new lights I got. They are really cool, because instead of a friction generator, or batteries, they get their power from frictionless magnetic induction, so it doesn't make biking any harder, and makes the lights go! I got the kind that are supposed to keep lit for a little bit, even after you've stopped moving. I think I will probably end up buying another set of magnets, but for now, I'm cautiously optimistic. I even managed to mount and program the bike computer I bought myself as an early Christmas present. If I'm going to be biking all over creation every day, I want fancy toys, by god.
I also ended up taking off the rack, and tried to put on the more heavy duty rack I have, but the heavy duty rack doesn't have the right size holes for the bolt where it needs to attach, so I think I'm going to suck it up and just put the old one back on. I probably should not be trying to carry loads any heavier than the old one can handle on my very narrow tires anyway.
Now if only it would stop raining (not really, Texas still desperately needs the rain). I think my next bike project after the holidays is going to be figuring out the fender situation for once and for all. Getting the bus from my new place is going to be kind of a giant pain, so I'll want to bike as much as possible, even when it's damp out.
2. There is a stray/lost/abandoned cat that has adopted my apartment complex. If anyone wants the friendliest cat in creation, he(?) is here for the taking. It looks like he has a bit of hair loss on the tips of his ears, but otherwise appears to be in great health. He really really just wants someone to love him. If anyone knows anyone in the Austin/Dallas/Houston area who is interested in a cat, please let me know.
3. I got the craft table I wanted, for $50 instead of $180, so I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself. I think I'm going to try and find some wheels for it, because that shit is HEAVY. Now I just need to sell my kitchen table and my desk and I'm all set for moving (besides the packing, don't mention the packing).
This entry was also posted at drunkoffthestars on dreamwidth.
comment(s) there.
There was this completely nasty buildup of hardened chain grease all over the chain and gears, so I bought the little tool that lets you push the pins that hold the chain out, and degreased it. You are supposed to push the pin out JUST enough so that it is still inside one of the holes on the outer sleeve, but completely outside the inner part, so it is easy to just push the pin back in when you are done. Tragically, I failed that bit, and had to figure out how to get a completely removed pin back where it belonged. Thankfully the internet can tell me all about it, and the moral of the story is that a pair of pliers and a hammer will get you far in life.
I also managed to patch the tube with a hole, and get that all mounted properly again. I haven't had a chance to ride it again because it keeps raining every morning and evening, but whatevs. It seems to be holding air reasonably well. While I was at it, I mounted the new lights I got. They are really cool, because instead of a friction generator, or batteries, they get their power from frictionless magnetic induction, so it doesn't make biking any harder, and makes the lights go! I got the kind that are supposed to keep lit for a little bit, even after you've stopped moving. I think I will probably end up buying another set of magnets, but for now, I'm cautiously optimistic. I even managed to mount and program the bike computer I bought myself as an early Christmas present. If I'm going to be biking all over creation every day, I want fancy toys, by god.
I also ended up taking off the rack, and tried to put on the more heavy duty rack I have, but the heavy duty rack doesn't have the right size holes for the bolt where it needs to attach, so I think I'm going to suck it up and just put the old one back on. I probably should not be trying to carry loads any heavier than the old one can handle on my very narrow tires anyway.
Now if only it would stop raining (not really, Texas still desperately needs the rain). I think my next bike project after the holidays is going to be figuring out the fender situation for once and for all. Getting the bus from my new place is going to be kind of a giant pain, so I'll want to bike as much as possible, even when it's damp out.
2. There is a stray/lost/abandoned cat that has adopted my apartment complex. If anyone wants the friendliest cat in creation, he(?) is here for the taking. It looks like he has a bit of hair loss on the tips of his ears, but otherwise appears to be in great health. He really really just wants someone to love him. If anyone knows anyone in the Austin/Dallas/Houston area who is interested in a cat, please let me know.
3. I got the craft table I wanted, for $50 instead of $180, so I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself. I think I'm going to try and find some wheels for it, because that shit is HEAVY. Now I just need to sell my kitchen table and my desk and I'm all set for moving (besides the packing, don't mention the packing).
This entry was also posted at drunkoffthestars on dreamwidth.
comment(s) there.