SquashCycle Bikes

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'd say that you'd want a max 100mm travel fork. I don't remember what the travel was on those Headshocks, but it wasn't much.

I'm going to guess the bottom bracket bearings look like those headset bearings.

 

[Squashfest81]

Yeah, the headshock was like 70 or 80mm of travel. That Tora 302 is adjustable from 85 to 130mm. Still feels pretty good.
The bottom bracket bearings are rough. They are coming out and will get a clean and grease or replace depending. Then we are back on track.
40 tooth chainring arrives this weekend. I’ve got a chain and brake cables ready to go.
Then she’s hitting the trail.

 

[Squashfest81]

Oh tubeless. The wheels and tires I picked up for the Super V are tubeless and I’ve never messed with them. They fill and hold, but leak down over time.
Is this because I haven’t ridden them and the sealant is just sitting at the bottom? They need a service and fresh sealant?
What do I buy? Obviously sealant, but a syringey thing that screws in the core? What?

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Tubless tires always lose air over time. I fill mine every ride. You'll want to get a syringe with a straw on it that's small enough to fit in the valve stem with the core removed. I mount the tire, pull the valve core, seat the beads using an air compressor, then fill the tire with sealant through the valve core.

 

[Squashfest81]

Thanks Bigblue, going to need to order some tubeless supplies.
Also, going to order a replacement for the hollowtech bb.

 

[Squashfest81]

The hollowtech needs a funky splined tool. I decided on the socket style as those flat wrenches never work out for me when you need to really torque down. I saved a few bucks and went with the aluminum instead of steal, because I thought with all those splines, nicely cut, we’d be fine.
First side came off with a ratchet and cheater bar. Second side just twisted the square drive right through the aluminum. Huh, well I guess I’ll destroy the socket completely.
Bolted the socket through to keep it from rolling off and grabbed the outside with a pipe wrench. Cheater bar and force got her out.
Steal socket should be here in the next few.

 

[nadogail]

I prefer to use purchased tools, but some people like steal tools.

 

[Squashfest81]

Ha, steel, steal. Pretty sure that the modern world, auto fill, and spell check are making me dumber. I need to get back to reading. Confession time, I haven’t read an actual book in like to, too, I mean two years.

 

[Squashfest81]

Scored a bunch of cool vintage road bike stuff. Viking Frame, cool bars, seat, Stonglight cranks, many cool pedals…
I can appreciate a cool road bike, but they aren’t my thing. This guy will get assembled, only because it has an old bike license number sticker from my little seaside town. Sorry, name covered in tape for inter webs security. And, I’ve got all the donor parts.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

My daughter hasn't raced since October, but for whatever she wanted to race tonight, even though it was 107° when we left the house. She's 6, but raced the 7yo's. Came out with a positive attitude and she took home 3rd! Proud of her for making the decision to get back in the saddle.

 

[Squashfest81]

Just returned from camping at Horseneck Beach. So amazing, like parked on the beach amazing!
On the way in the wife noticed a giant book sale sign. She hit it with the kiddos the next day. Grabbed me a stack of historical fiction stuff that looked promising and this sweet little set. 4 volume Barnett’s Analysis and Procedures for Bicycle Mechanics.
Like a Haynes car manual for bikes.

 

[Squashfest81]

While I’m waiting for the hollowtech parts for the Super V I spent some time this weekend tossing clutter and finding my shed floor again.

 

[Squashfest81]

Yesterday I messed with the old 91 Trek 950 as she isn’t shifting right. I need to spend some more time on her.
To find some success, I pulled the Kona Cinder Cone down to switch out the saddle and address the gripshifts which were pressed way into the center of the bars. I cut down a set of donor grips and moved the shifter stuff out.
Then hit the bike path. I like her much better now.

dice 3 face

 

[Squashfest81]

I’ve been planning to turn this 70’s Schwinn Speedster into a home brew klunker style mountain bike like before mountain bikes were a thing.

instagram photo and video downloader

 

[Squashfest81]

First hurdle is the drop out spacing to run a more modern non fractional 26in wheel and tire.
I’ve seen RJ online stretch frames, so I’ll get to stretching.

 

[Squashfest81]

Had to stretch it by a few inches over, but she opened up.

 

[Squashfest81]

26in tires fit. Nicer wheels and tire to come. Second hurdle will be brakes. I still need a plan?
I’ll keep the classic 1 piece crank and go single cog on the back.
Anyone know what to do about the stem? My 1in stem donors don’t quite fit. It’s close though. Is it a Schwinn thing? Can I file to fit? I want an aluminum stem and straight bars.

 

[Squashfest81]

Searched through my stems and I’ve got 2 old road bike stems that step down. Interesting. I’ll go with this one. Now to find straightish bars with a bit of rise.

 

[Squashfest81]

All the parts are in and we stole a minute to get back on the Super V.
Gave the frame a wash and then hit it with some compound. Installed the new Hollowtech bb. Greased and got the fork back on.
Should be on the trails next weekend.

banner image code

 

[Squashfest81]

Crankys on. Slipped a new cable in for the derailleur. It’s down to brake cables, chain, and adjust.

 

[Squashfest81]

All together and hit the path for a test ride and photo. Few minor adjustments needed before a true trail test on Thursday. I like her!

 

[Squashfest81]

Trail test Thursday was a bust. Made it about 15 minutes down the trail and the rear went flat. Yes, the pump was back at the truck. No, I didn’t do any tubeless maintenance before the ride. Walked her out.
So, order tubeless supplies and deal with this regular topping off of slime or just go tubes and never look back? Serious question.

 

[Squashfest81]

But, came upon this cool stash. Any idea on age of the trueing stand? It’s with a bunch of 70’s ish road bike parts and tools.

 

[Squashfest81]

Some of the tool highlights. What’s the cool Suntour tool with the 2 rods? Age guesses? A bunch of the tools were marked so I’ll be doing some research in town to find out more.

 

[Squashfest81]

The stand. Artisan Tool and Die out of Ohio. Haven’t googled yet, but I will. Anyone know more?

 

[captain14]

Haven’t seen this thread in awhile. I’ll have to go back through the posts.

With the new GJ format, I’m subscribed now.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Trail test Thursday was a bust. Made it about 15 minutes down the trail and the rear went flat. Yes, the pump was back at the truck. No, I didn’t do any tubeless maintenance before the ride. Walked her out.
So, order tubeless supplies and deal with this regular topping off of slime or just go tubes and never look back? Serious question.

How much sealant did you originally put in?

Do you know where it was leaking from?

Is there rim tape on the inside of the wheels to prevent leakage at the *******?

Valve stems tight? Cores tight?

The only other thing I can think of is depending on the age of the wheels and tires I do know there used to be a couple of different tubeless standards between manufacturers. @Grant Gunderson might know more about this; I stopped riding for a while during the period the industry made the transition to tubeless.

Tubeless is the only way to go in my opinion. Years of desert riding and I've never had a trail flat. I do carry tubes on all of our bikes though as a back up. My buddy had a spoke break and puncture the rim tape, so that was the sole time we had to throw a tube in to get home.

 

[Squashfest81]

Welcome back Captain.
Bigblue, those are all good questions. I didn’t address the tires in any way as they would pump up and hold for over 24hrs. I was hoping that they were “ok” enough to ride. At least now I’m motivated to buy some tubeless supplies and figure it out.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

You definitely need to run all the aforementioned things. The sealant (only use proper MTB tire sealant) is imperative. I can't believe you made it as far as you did without it!

 

[slowtwitch73]

I would guess axle vise of the Suntour tool.

Never heard of that brand stand before...

1980's era give or take for most of that stuff.

 

[Squashfest81]

I’ll Google axle vise. Thanks Slowtwitch.
Tire update. The front is holding. I ripped the rear off. The bead was nicely stuck. No tape as it’s a double layer wheel. I think the issue was the valve stem. It didn’t look great inside and didn’t move right when removing.
I’ll order a pair of those, slime, valve stem remover…

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'd personally go with Stan's, Orange, or Bontrager tire sealant. I'm not sure how well Slime brand works; I personally don't know anyone who uses it.

 

[Squashfest81]

Supplies will be here Sunday.
I’m using “slime” as a general term.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Cool, once you get it all sorted I think it will be worth the effort.

 

[Squashfest81]

A buddy texted the Craig’s add for this guy this morning. How could I not.

 

[Squashfest81]

Going to take steps to get the shed back in order. The bike specific tools and supplies are going to move into this over 4ft by 2ft Vidmar drawer. Half the drawer will get dividers and cubbies for the tools. The other half for supplies and current project parts. Larger parts storage will move to bins on shelves.

 

[Squashfest81]

The K2 Proflex has this crazy battery powered shock thing. Here’s the excerpt from Feb 1998 Mountain Bike Action magazine.

 

[Squashfest81]

Anyone know anything about this? Used on anything else? Here’s mine. Just pulled the 9v marked Jan 2002. My guess is it hasn’t been really ridden since then, 20 years ago.

 

[Squashfest81]

And the cover shot from the same issue. Same bike.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I don't recall that system, but it's amazing that just recently, in the last 6mos, the manufacturers are coming out with modern versions. That bike was super advanced at the time. My best friend's step dad bought one and my mind was blown by it! Unfortunately, those forks had a reputation for buckling. My dad actually came across a guy on the trail that got hurt really bad when his fork folded up.