The Art of Zen and Brompton maintenance
So I have a ridiculous bike.
I love it. It's a talking point and people take the mick out of me for it. People ask me about it in the street - and point. "That's a cool bike".
I recently cycled down a rather grim alley way near work and some hoodies, hanging out there, shouted out "That is a sick bike you got!". I was miffed until later, someone told me that "sick" is the latest urban word meaning "cool" (in my language).
Anyway I'm pleased to say that the nasty inch long slash in the rear tyre made by a piece of glass on the way to work last week, has been fixed by the application of a new tyre. Replacing a rear tyre is never easy because all the gear and brake gubbins of the rear wheel has to be removed and then replaced and re-adjusted. But it was all pretty straight forward when you read the instructions... so I have my brompton maintenance wings AND a working brompton again.
v. Happy.
Rob said:
Tim
Thanks for posting this, I didn't have a copy myself. I've done the
rear wheel removal thing a few times and it's always a fussy
business but I'm getting slicker at it. Most recently was when
cleaning up after the remarkable Brighton low tide ride last Friday
(search on Flickr for "naked bromptonears"). My current problem is
adjusting the rear sidepull brake, which is binding. I fiddled about
with it for two hours at the weekend only making things worse. But
your manual gives me cause for hope, so I'll try again.
Rob
The flickr URL, which I wasn't allowed to post as a comment, is
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lomokev/1310649844/. Great photo of a
bizarre and surreal event. Not altogether a kind way to treat one's
Brompton though - basically riding it in the sea.
Rob