Riding in the hood.

deacon · #**111** (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 01:35 PM

I tightened it last night. You are right it did get a turn out of tight.While I was at it i checked all the bolts in the sprocket and they were all loose. I have no idea what that was all about. I tightened them up and tested it and the bike does much better.

I was happy to note that a 1/4" hex nut will allow my bent brake lever to pass. I know now that if I lose one of the bolts or nuts I can replace it with a simple 1/4" one. The funny shaped head had me worried. But it isn't any flatter than a standard hex head.

Like everybody always says check the torque on all your nuts after every ride. At least after every tank of gas.

deacon · #**112** (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 01:39 PM

Yesterday was 73 degrees here and today was 64. Yesterday at 73 I wore a thermal vest and a heavy tee shirt, today at 64 I wore a long sleeved shirt and shorts to ride. I have no idea what that was all about except maybe the direction of the wind is different today. Anyway it was my first bike ride no socks and shorts. Now if I could get a helmet exemption life would be good.

I know you all need to wear them, but in my case it really isn't necessary lol. No working brain to protect you know.

One thing I have noticed and made allowances for is that cars at stop signs on cross streets almost always misjudge my speed. At first I thought that they didn't see me, but they do they just don't expect me to be on them so quickly. Now i just slow down when i approach one.

**Ilikeabikea** · #**113** (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deacon

check the torque on all your nuts after every ride.

Do they really say that. Sounds like good advice to me..........

deacon · #**114** (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 10:42 AM

I think the thing I love and hate most about the transylvania county chopper is that it is never done. Last night while my wife watched the news and more news, I cut off a kickstand to replace the one I lost. Today I plan to replace the crank set from the 26" set to a 20" one. I'm never going to pedal it more than an few feet at a time, and it will allow me to lower the seat.

Well I stopped long enough to do the modifications and now it looks much better (to me). If it warms up a few more degrees I'm off to try it out.

deacon · #**115** (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 01:16 PM

So I rode the bike and all is well, but what amazes me is that people still call out to me so they can come look at the bike. Young and old black and white everybody loves these things. I wish I had the talent and the infrastructure to build them.

**CRUISER** · #**116** (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 11:08 PM

you have alot more talent then i think you relize deacon. we have see pictures of you motorized bicycles and they are nice! and yes everyone loves them.

deacon · #**117** (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 12:39 PM

Today the weather is nice. I took the TC out for a spin. The crank off the twenty inch bike makes it a bit easier on the turns as the pedals don't drag but. I have very, very little torque for starting on hills. As a matter of fact I couldn't on a couple and had to reverse my course. I'm going to give it a few more days and if I can't figure out how to do it, I'll just switch the crank back. Once you break it loose it's no sweat to switch it out. I'm taking suggestions if anyone has one.

So far the best I have been able to do is to reverse field and try from a different direction. I don't much like that since sometimes there just is no other easy way.

I just had a thought. They are always at a stop sign intersection where I'm sitting on the hill. If I'm sitting on the hill the side streets can't be going up it. On the really steep ones maybe I should just turn right then swing around and come back where I don't have the stop sign and turn right again onto the street I want to go on. That might work.

It's a little circular but it might work.

**CRUISER** · #**118** (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 01:11 PM

i always take the long way lol. i head to work and it is a straight shot by the car but not when on my motorized bicycle. i take the scenic route

deacon · #**119** (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 03:03 PM

I went back out and tried again. It has a little to do with clutch throttle coordination and a little to do with staying off the worst hills. Oh I can work out a way to do things, I usually can. Jim Valvano (sp) The coach at NC state univ when it won the national championship was dying of cancer and his last statement to the student body was "Never give up, never give up, never give up." I like to add one more part, If you think life is too hard on you, remember NEVER GIVE UP.

deacon · #**120** (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 03:11 PM

I HATE Squirrels... Just thought I'd throw that in