Bike Cleaning Day

As you can see today was take the bike apart and clean. Things went very well. The chain various other parts were cleaned in Orange Degreaser using the poor mans parts washer. Which is an old coffee can. Which the parts are put in the bottom, covered with the Orange Degreaser and set on top of the Washing machines while doing a load of laundry. The vibration of the washing machine going through it's various cycles does a great job of removing all the old dirt grease etc. After working for about 2.5 hours getting the bike all shiny it was time to put it back together. All went well until assembling the rear derailler. The pulleys have to be put in correctly or it does not shift well. As you can guess the first try the pulleys were not in correctly. One was turned backwards. No worry just remove the bolt and turn it around. While lessening the bolt the hex stripped out. No worry I can get that tight again. Famous last words. Could not get the bolt tight. No worry hop in the car and buy and new bolt. At the bike store, that is a Campy derailler, correct. Yes, we don't have that bolt. Could sell you a new derailler $150.00 plus $25 to install. Or order the bolt 2 - 3 weeks delivery. I decided call around. Went home fixed a sandwich wanted a beer but decided to open the phone book. Called Santa Rosa Cyclery. Guy that answered said this is the best shop in town bring the bike down let's have a look. Must have driven, ridden by this place 100 times. Took about 20 minutes to find. It was behind, youngest daughters favorite Mexican restaurants. Took the bike into this hole in the wall place. Mechanic looked at the problem took the old bolt out said that would have fallen out soon. Great, do you have Campy deraillers. No, oh great no bolt no bike. He brings out this plastic box labeled derailler parts. After 30 seconds out comes the perfect bolt. Not a Campy bolt but a bolt. Five minutes later fixed as good as new and only $5.00. Asked how much to do new bar tape. Ten bucks if you have the tape. I said I do give me 15 mins and I will be back. Needless to say my bike is now outfitted with Specialized Bar Phat tape nice gell filled stuff my oldest daughter got me last year for B-day. And I have a new favorite bike store. Good prices on tires.

Life if Good again