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VLW: repairs

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There are some basic repairs most people can do on their bikes. These are some:

Pulling/installing cranks [cotterless]

Removing/installing fork

Making your own handlebars

_____________________ CRANKS: The cranks are the parts of the bicycle that bridge the gap between the pedal and the chainrings. They transmit power from your feet to the chain and thus drive the bicycle.

There are two main types of cranks found on vitnage lightweight bicycles, cottered and cotterless. Cottered cranks were used on many old bicycles in England and Europe and made a resurgeance during the 1970's "bike boom" when they were found on many cheap low-level import bikes sold here in the U.S. These are usually steel and are held in place by special cotter pins. They are a pain to work on.

Most bikes made since the 1960's [except bargain clunkers] employ cotterless cranks. These are most often aluminum but can be made from other materials. They are easier to remove but removal requires a special tool called a Crank Puller. Park Tool and other companies make them and your loval bicycle shop most likely carries them. They cost about $10-$15.

1- The first thing to do with cotterless cranks is pop off the "dust cap". This is a threaded cap that screws or snaps into the end of the crank where it is attatched to the bicycle. Be careful not to strip it. Some caps are plastic others metal.

2- under the cap is a hexagonal bolt. Using a socket wrench [in my experience often 15mm but it varies by bicycle make] remove the bolt. depending on the bicycle, the cranks are either held in place by a knut fitting over the crank over a threaded protrusion, or a bolt through the crank into a threaded hole. Either way, remove it. The crank should still be attatched to the bike. That is because it fits tightly on and the bolt has pressed it in place. Even without the bolt, it is wedged on. This is why you have a crank puller.

3-Take the threaded end of the crank puller and screw it into the dust cap threads in the crank. Make sure it's tight.

Then turn the handle of the puller, holding the crank steady. The puller will "pop" the crank off its mounting and it will become loose. Lift it free, then unscrew the crank puller from the crank. Be careful with the cranks: Aluminum can be easily damaged and if the threads in the crank are stripped you will not be able to remove it easily!

Installing cranks: To install cotterless cranks, just place the crank on the spindle or mounting and insert the bolt or nut, then tighten. Be sure ther cranks are tight!

Types of cranks [sizes]: Cranks come in different lengths. For road bikes the most common are 165 and 170 mm. The 170 define a bigger circle and are easier to pedal on long rides.