What Have You Fettled Today?

[Reynard]

Then of course, I am rather biased about the colour @robrinay - it *is* my favourite. I even have a Sparco Monza jacket in just that shade.

 

[robrinay]

Then of course, I am rather biased about the colour @robrinay - it *is* my favourite. I even have a Sparco Monza jacket in just that shade.

It’s pretty close to the original colour - I exposed it with long scratches through the re-paint layers with a knife.

 

[Reynard]

It’s pretty close to the original colour - I exposed it with long scratches through the re-paint layers with a knife.

Neat You've done a fabby job on it, you should be well chuffed. Not bad for a freebie either.

 

[biggs682]

Sunday am was a busy stint in the garage with a chain & sprocket replacement on a recently acquired Diamonback mtb as the gears started to slip Friday pm , when i dropped the chain checker tool on the chain the 75% end fell in with ease , so new 32 - 11 rear sprocket and the last of my halford bargain 9 speed chains and a new rear brake cable once all fitted of we went for a test ride all ok , will be using it for the remainder of the week on my commutes before handing it over to its new owner .

Next up is this Show off your Giant which once done can also go back to its owner for which he has promised me another Giant mtb foc

 

[GuyBoden]

Made some mudflaps from some extra thick roofing felt I had in the garage. I think they're a bit big, but I can always cut them to a smaller size.

 

[dickyknees]

Rear light mount for the Blackburn rack. Why do they make racks without suitable mounting points?

 

[DCBassman]

Finished the Scott flat bar conversion, see thread in Mechanics.

 

[ColinJ]

I am mid-fettle and have stopped to get out of the heat of the sun and have a coffee break.

I made the mistake of leaving the chain on my best bike too long and it had caused a lot of wear to the rest of the transmission. I decided to keep on riding the bike through the winter and finish it off. Now that the damn winter finally seems to have finished, it is time to put nice new bits on. I have a new cassette, new chain, and 3 new chainrings for my triple chainset.

I felt quite ashamed of how mucky and worn out the transmission on the bike had become. It was starting to get very noisy, gear shifting was starting to be affected, and it looked horrid.

I got the spider off and removed the old rings. The outer and inner rings looked like they might have some significant use left in them so I cleaned them and am fairly sure that they will last the life of the new chain. The new big and little rings will go in my spares drawer for this year. The middle ring is the one that I use the most and that is well-worn, so that IS going to be replaced. I have removed the surplus links from the new chain, so that is good to go. The cassette is knackered so a new one is going on.

The rear mech is filthy. I'm hoping that the jockey wheels are okay because I don't have any spares. The old ones need a good clean and lubing at the very least.

I'll give the rest of the bike a really good clean while I am at it.

Well, I think my back yard will be a bit cooler now so I should get back to work ...

 

[DCBassman]

It certainly was a warm fettling day!

 

[ColinJ]

Oh, FFS!!!!

I just finished the fettling job, cleared up the back yard, put the tools away, and washed all the oily grease off my hands (I've run out of latex gloves - must order more!), brought the bike into the house and was admiring my handiwork when ...







... I spotted 5 chainring bolts and the 28-tooth gr... (remembers recent fuss about name of this type of chain ring!)... grovelling ring on the kitchen worktop. I have accidentally turned my triple back into a double!

Damn. I'm not getting my hands dirty again now. I'll sort it out tomorrow!

PS The jockey wheels were filthy but very few obvious signs of wear. Thousands of kms/miles left in them.

 

[Reynard]

Oh, FFS!!!!

I just finished the fettling job, cleared up the back yard, put the tools away, and washed all the oily grease off my hands (I've run out of latex gloves - must order more!), brought the bike into the house and was admiring my handiwork when ...







... I spotted 5 chainring bolts and the 28-tooth gr... (remembers recent fuss about name of this type of chain ring!)... grovelling ring on the kitchen worktop. I have accidentally turned my triple back into a double!

Damn. I'm not getting my hands dirty again now. I'll sort it out tomorrow!

PS The jockey wheels were filthy but very few obvious signs of wear. Thousands of kms/miles left in them.

Ooopsssssssssssss...

P.S. A teaspoon of sugar and a dollop of washing up liquid is brill for cleaning mucky hands

 

[Jenkins]

Six of my eight bikes have been given a quick wipe down clean and a full chain mickling as they've mostly had dry running recently. Tomorrow the remaining two will be given a more thorough clean and chain mickling.

 

[ColinJ]

Ooopsssssssssssss...

P.S. A teaspoon of sugar and a dollop of washing up liquid is brill for cleaning mucky hands

I used washing up liquid. What does the sugar do? (I had to scrub fairly hard with a nail brush.)

I bought a big box of latex gloves a few years ago but have just run out.

 

[Howyadoinoutthere]

I used washing up liquid. What does the sugar do? (I had to scrub fairly hard with a nail brush.)

I bought a big box of latex gloves a few years ago but have just run out.

I highly recommend rubbing butter on to the oil/grease (fat lifts the oil/grease) then use washing up liquid to get rid of the butter. Works like a treat. Was told it as a 'trick of the trade' by a car mechanic way back in my youth and I've stuck with it ever since.

 

[bpsmith]

I used washing up liquid. What does the sugar do? (I had to scrub fairly hard with a nail brush.)

I bought a big box of latex gloves a few years ago but have just run out.

The sugar turns the washing up liquid into a more serious paste like substance that scrubs the dirt off very efficiently in my experience.

Superb tip by @Reynard.