Bicycle Mechanics - Users handbook?

New to bikes and the many functions they have. I bought a used Motiv 24 speed and the # on the bottom of crankshaft is DOO6O 0217. The ph # on the bike is 800 229-6684. It is no good. I'm trying to find a Users Manual. I have been all over the internet trying to find a users handbook

I don't even know how to take the wheel off. The quick release still does not free the wheel. The brake pads must be lossened or something. And do I put oil or grease, which one, on the chain and sprockets. And how do I tighten the chain.

Any suggestions on how to get a handbook. I also tried a couple of bike repair shops nearby.

Although I've messed around with bikes all my life, I'm by no means an expert. I've always gone to this book for reference, though mine's an early version.

http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Complete-Bicycle-Maintenance-Repair/dp/1579548830/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256146929&sr=1-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Complete-Bicycle-Maintenance-Repair/dp/1579548830/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256146929&sr=1-1)

If you wanna get serious, I know a lot of people use this. . .

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Blue-Book-Bicycle-Repair/dp/0976553007/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256147075&sr=1-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Big-Blue-Book-Bicycle-Repair/dp/0976553007/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256147075&sr=1-1)

www.sheldonbrown.com is probably all you need. Bikes aren't really manufacture specific.

This might help http://www.parktool.com/repair/ Good info here. http://draco.acs.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/index.html

www.sheldonbrown.com is probably all you need. Bikes aren't really manufacture specific.

+1

Sheldon is the man.

In my experience, bike owners manuals have little useful information.

+1

Sheldon is the man.

Not to rain on the parade, but rather Sheldon was the man. We're currently looking for a replacement.

But, the good news is Sheldon's site will be up for a good while, so look at it. It's got damn near everything you'll need to know.

I don't even know how to take the wheel off. The quick release still does not free the wheel. The brake pads must be lossened or something. And do I put oil or grease, which one, on the chain and sprockets. And how do I tighten the chain.


Yes, you'll have to release the brakes. I'd guess your bike will have v-brakes or cantilevers, as I don't recall many Motiv road bikes. Just look up v-brakes or cantilever brakes and you'll find instructions. The fork may also have lips that keep the wheel from coming out. You may have to unscrew the QR a few revolutions to get it loose enough to clear the lips.

Oil the chain, but not the sprockets, they'll get more than enough oil from the chain.

It's doubtful your chain is too loose unless your rear deraileur is misadjusted, broken or worn OR the original chain has been replaced with one that's too long at some point. The chain can be shortened by removing links. Make sure you don't take too many out, however. Sheldon has an article on chain length - read it several times before removing links from chain.

In my experience, bike owners manuals have little useful information.

Yeah, they mostly consist of cover-our-legal-asses warnings against stupidity.

What do you want to know?

Thanks for your reply. Every one of the 5 or 6 replies have been helpful in different ways.

Thanks so much!

Thanks DD

Thanks. I'll check it out.

Very helpful to a lazy researcher like me. Thanks.

For someone who is really new to bicycle maintainance, try to find someone who is an experienced rider and have them give you a tutorial while going over your bike. Your local bike club could be a place to start or if your town has a bike repair place that fixes up bikes for donation to needy people, they often have good mechanics who will help at no charge. A case of beer or taking them out to lunch can get you a lot of good advice.

Web sites and books can be very useful but there is nothing better than hands-on instructions.