Re: [CR]the deadly NR crankarm crack/ longest lasting grease

(Example: Framebuilding)

Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2005 20:25:33 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Dale B. Phelps" <losgatos_dale@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]the deadly NR crankarm crack/ longest lasting grease
To: john@os2.dhs.org
In-Reply-To: <432E2A9E.4000005@new.rr.com>
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

1) Apologies for the spurious send of no message 2) Phil Bicycle grease, "waterproof", in the green toothpaste tube. Find some and GUARD IT!

Dale Phelps, Longmont CO

John Thompson <JohnThompson@new.rr.com> wrote: Patrick Lay wrote:
> Hello to all..I recently purchased and overhauled a nice 70s Paramount
> which, from the evidence at hand. had been restored and promptly
> warehoused for years in less than ideal conditions. The Campy BB grease
> had been reduced to a clay-like substance and was very hard to clean out
> of the bearings. I had so much trouble cleaning the cage on the fixed
> cup side before reloading it with new balls that I tossed the adjustable
> cup bearing assembly into the someday box and filled the cup race with
> loose bearings. What is the best grease to use for longevity and
> stability as well as effectiveness to avoid having it dry up every few
> years?

The best way to prevent this is to take the bike out for a spin every now and then!
> I also found the two feared tiny cracks on both sides of the
> crankarm spider, I tried to file them away but one had progressed beyond
> the practical range of the file. So not only do I need a crankset, but
> it occured to me to ask if the crack will cause catastropic failure
> without warning or if it will grow slowly before the inevitable happens
> and allow me to use it on an occasional use bike.

Alas, unlike steel, aluminum tends to fail suddenly and catastrophically.

-- John (john@os2.dhs.org) Appleton WI USA _______________________________________________

Dale B. Phelps, 303 939 6967 303 208 8664 pager

"Never be afraid to try something new. The Ark was designed by amateurs. The Titanic was designed by professionals." - R. Buckminister Fuller

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