Definitely adjust the bearings. On a recent tandem purchase with Maxi- car hubs, the front hub was as smooth as I've felt any hub. The rear was rough. So I took apart (per the Bicycle Quarterly article) and discovered pitted races. Dang. Replacement parts are difficult to find. The bearings had obviously been too tight for quite a while. Better to adjust (and take apart if necessary) than risk making it worse.
Drew Ellison Everett, Washington USA
On Sep 29, 2007, at 8:28 AM, Eric Elman wrote:
> I've recently purchased a late model, large flange NOS Maxi-car
> rear hub and when turning the axle there is some roughness, i.e.
> she is not smooth as one would expect. The seller, whose integrity
> is NOT in question at all, has told me that while he would provide
> a full refund if desired, has also added that this is typical due
> to being NOS and of early 90's vintage (sitting for years) and that
> after a short amount of use, the grease which has hardened just a
> bit will loosen up and the hub will be as smooth as expected.
>
> I'm not sure what to do and am looking to the list to see if others
> have had any similar experiences and if using the hub will very
> likely be fine.
>
> Thanks in advance for your helpful advise.
>
> Eric Elman
> Somers, CT USA