Carry an extra whatchamacallit !!

TeddyB · #1 10-26-2008, 09:04 PM

I went for a ride today and a mile from the house the clutch would not disengage. The lock screw worked loose and fell out and the cable quit functioning. So at the first stop sign with traffic I was screwed.

Then I thought no sweat Ted you can pedal home, that was one of the neat reasons you bought this thing !! Then I really thought Duhhh as I was pushing to the curbside why is this thing pushing so hard.

I picked up the rear tire and started it contemplating running and jumping on but I just couldn't picture doing this without hurting myself,then I tried letting the rear tire down in the wet grass as I reved the engine nope this is not working! Huffing and puffing in a slight rain pushing while I held the rear wheel up I started walking home.

A quarter of the way home I got another bright Idea , I can hand clutch it with the clutch lever down on the motor---- I would need to start it and while holding the rear tire in the air reach down and engage the clutch lever at the motor then I could put the tire down and mount the bike while still holding the clutch lever in then somehow I needed to take one quick pedal with my right leg while I slowly let the clutch lever out.

I managed to do it on my first try!

If It was downhill It might have attempted the run and jump or low gear pedal but I was fighting a half mile slight incline.

So I got to ride for the last half mile. Has anyone else had this happen to them and what did ya do? Oh I did have a cell with me but the wife was not home, and some people did ask if I needed help.

Ted

t

bigben77 · #2 10-26-2008, 09:47 PM

On a 12 mile ride to a different bike shop other than my local one. My clutch cable broke at the cable retainer screw(@ the clutch arm). I just peddled the heck out of it till it started, having seven speeds at the time helped ALOT. It would die at stop lights and signs so I just repeated the starting method to get me home.

Nomad · #3 10-26-2008, 09:50 PM

Quite ingenious thinking, I'm gonna have to read this again tomorrow when my comprehension is a little sharper...

old motorbike · #4 10-27-2008, 06:54 AM

Always carry a small pair of vice grips.

Retmachinist · #5 10-27-2008, 07:18 AM

Good idea on the small pair of vise grips. Since I am fairly new at this I have been trying to think of some of the simple things that could go wrong, where I would be screwed as far as riding home. I have been carrying a couple small tools with me, just hoping I might have the right one.
As far as the way you finally pedaled home, I would have not been able to do it. I have a $50,000.00 hip replacement thay is way more unreliable than these bikes!

**Dan** · #6 10-27-2008, 08:01 AM

Wow Ted, I am having trouble picturing that, but way cool.

I never leave the house with out a leatherman (well, it is a knockoff one) Things are worth there weight in gold and has gotten me out of trouble more then once. Keeping a bike multi tool on the bike is a good idea too.

Finfan · #7 10-27-2008, 10:31 AM

This raises the question of "Where would you find a replacement for that little bit of brass?" It is too small of a part for the online dealers to sell separately so how do you replace it if you lose it?

TeddyB · #8 10-27-2008, 11:12 AM

I think a small pair of vice grips is an excellent addition to what I should carry,I just put that motor on a different bike and i should have checked that the screw was tight.

I left the clutch and throttle cables attached to the motor when i switched it to the other bike,my bad.

Ted

Nomad · #9 10-27-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finfan

This raises the question of "Where would you find a replacement for that little bit of brass?" It is too small of a part for the online dealers to sell separately so how do you replace it if you lose it?

I saw "cable stop" doodads at Northern Tool, not exactly the same configutation but it should work to "stop" the cable...

jburr36 · #10 10-27-2008, 11:59 AM

probably the best way to keep from losing that little brass thingy is to put a little drop of JB Weld or some other epoxy resin on the end of the cable so when it comes loose it cannot slip off the end of the cable.

I do carry a little tool set. One of those multi-use pliers with the knife, screwdriver, etc. comes in real handy.

P.S. I started doing the JB Weld thing to all my cable ends because the little metal caps that were crimped on kept falling off. The cable ends frayed badly and started poking me through my clothes. The JB Weld worked great for that.