Old Bike - Service

[Llama]

Hi All

I have an old Diamond Back Wildwood (see attached) must be about 10 years old now, that I want to use as a back up bike. It has been stored well in a garage and only has a bit of rust on the handlebars other than that looks ok. I washed it and oiled the chain - what else should I do and is there a good book/website to get regarding bikes servicing?

Thanks in advance

 

[mickle]

Release the cables (one at a time) from the slotted cable guides on the frame (without undoing them) and work some chain lube into the outers by dripping it on the inner and sliding the outer back and forth. I would be inclined to re-grease the major bearings (BB if not a sealed unit, HS and hubs). Grease is essentially soap with oil in it, after a while the oil degrades and the more volatile components evaporate. Leaving just soap. Which is a pish-poor lubricant. It's not unusual for bikes which have been stored for a long time to munch their bearings after a few hundred miles when they're brought out of retirement. The bearings might feel ok when you spin them but they're not lubricated with anything more than gunge.

Lightly lube any moving parts such as the derailer (US spelling, it's easier) pivots, brake bosses and brake lever pivots.

If you really want to go to town on it, so to speak, pull out both stem bolts, seat binder bolt, seat-post clamp bolt and seat post and apply a smear of grease to the threads and under the bolt heads. Essentially any parts or surfaces which you cant see when the bike is assembled.

Wipe any excess lube off paying particular attention to the chain and other transmission components. Important! Lube attracts dirt and the two combine to make that horrible black gunk which will prematurely erode your parts and get all over your flares.

 

[swee'pea99]

You might need to pump the tyres too.

 

[Llama]

Thanks Both for your advice, I will attempt this weekend - Any recommendations for a good bike service book to help?

 

[spandex]

Here we go you had to open up that one didn't you!