Build a Bike From Junk

(Page 5 of 5)

July/August 1982
By David Weems 
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Photo 15: Truing the Wheel. If a wheel has some minor wobbles, bolt it into the fork and turn the frame upside down. Then hold a marker against the fork at a point about 1/8 inch from the rim and rotate the wheel slowly . . . the warps will mark themselves. Check the other side of the rim in the same way. Now, to correct the wobbles, loosen four or five spokes a half-turn on the same side as, and surrounding, a mark . . . and tighten the corresponding four or five spokes on the opposite side. Repeat the procedure for each warp until the wheel runs fairly true.

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At this point you should also file smooth any spoke ends that poke out of the rim nipples. Then cover all the spoke holders with duct tape or a rubber rim-liner strip . . . so that the nipples can't puncture your inner tube later on.

FINISHING UP AND PEDALING OFF

After you've done all your overhauling chores, the only work left is to put on the tires and fill the tubes with air (you can, of course, reupholster the seat or add a useful carrier basket if you wish). Then you'll be all set to pedal off on your brand-new junk bike.

If your experience is anything like mine, you'll be amazed how simple—and how much fun—bike rebuilding is. And if the members of your family are anything like mine, you'll probably have to make a "junker clunker" for each one of them! Of course, I didn't mind doing so, because now the folks in my house never have to fret about having some "wheels" to take them where they want to go. In fact, we don't even worry about how we'll get around when the next gas crunch hits. The government can do as it likes with gasoline . . . nobody rations pedal power!

EDITOR'S NOTE: An excellent addition to any pedaler's library is Coaster & 3-Speed Bicycle Repair by the XYZYX Information Corporation. You can order a copy for $4.95 plus $1.50 shipping and handling—from Crown Publishers Retail Sales, Dept. TMEN, 1 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016.

You can make your cycle construction and maintenance even easier by first building "MOTHER's Bike Service Stand" (issue 75, page 100). See page 104 to order back issues.

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