Bklyn

Calling on those who can diagnose sounds -- without actually hearing them.

1. A squeak in the drive train. I had the BB repacked recently, but the squeak persists. It seems to occur every 1.5 rotations of the cranks, which means it must be a link, right? How to proceed?

2. The wheels both wobble a bit. There's a loose spoke (at least one) I just discovered in the rear wheel. Here's the tricky part. The wheels are 25 years old and have never been trued. The bike basically was ridden the week it was bought, then kept in my parents' basement until 4 months ago, when I rescued it and have ridden it nearly every day. One LBS mechanic told me he wouldn't go near these wheels with a spoke wrench; 25-year-old nipples couldn't take any new torque. It made me think my bike (a mint Lotus Legend with a Shimano 600 group) was like Robin Williams in the movie "Awakenings"; in a coma for decades, it enjoys a month of new life before a tumor the size of a grapfruit shows up to spoil the fun.

3. My saddle (a Belt, which seems to be maybe a rung below a Brooks) has finally broken in, but now it squeaks over bumps. Sounds like bedsprings. What to do?

Thanks for your help.

silversmith

I can't stand wobbling wheels.

I'd put some penetrating oil on those nipples and give it a try. If the nipple strips you can always cut and pull the spoke then slip in a new one.

Psimet2001 

1. Creak sounds like roller squeek (I have the same squeek in the space bar on this keyboard -drives me nuts!). Could be from lack of lube and/or corrosion. Depending on the shape of the chain you have many options...clean, re-lube, ride (riding will help remove stubborn corrosion), or buy new chain. Buying the new chain is the recommended approach if you -value your time, -refuse to reduce, reuse and recycyle, -and have about 10 bucks in your wallet.

2. Wheels can be saved very easily. They should be re-tensioned/true....if you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself then find another shop that will (or just ask another person in the same shop...bet they'll say "no problem").

3. Just had the same problem in a 6 month old Selle San Marco saddle - meaning it's not exclusive to older saddles. Mine appeared after a really, really bad ride in the rain/sleet/ice (right CyLowe97?...). My solution was to douse the pivot mounts/bushings where the rails attach to the seat with lube. I call it "Mouse-B-Gone"

So...not a tumor the size of grapefruit, more like a bad mole with a wild hair that should be looked at closely.....

DanO220

Congratulations on saving a vintage ride. In fact, if you don't find a solution to your wheel problem the guys on the vintage forum can probably steer you in the right direction.

DanO

Bklyn

I think that's a great idea. I've made the beginner's mistake of using a wax-based lube that I have come to hate; to remove it, I'd have to spend like $15 to get the special, toxic White Lightning chain cleaner. So a new chain; that's a great idea. Now, I've got a six-cog freewheel. What size chain do I need? What's a good chain?

They did, and they're great.

Done. Squeaks are gone. Excellent advice.

Psimet2001 

There is a pluthura of great chains that can be acquired that will work on a 6sp freewheel. Without advocating one brand over another I think an SRAM PC48/PC58 would probably work very well and can be readily found at almost any LBS or OBS for at or under $20.

Just glad I could help.

jbrams

From women's bike forum:

Here's what Bill (from wallinford bikes, which sells many brooks with an unconditional 6 month guarantee) told me to do:

1. Take the saddle off the bike.
2. Turn it upside down.
3. See the threaded bolt thingy? (in the nose) Wiggle it. The end of that bolt is round, and sits in a cup at the very front of the shackle in the nose. It's meant to move freely within the cup.
4. Did you hear your noise? (it'll be quieter than on the bike, but I heard some of my noise just FINE)
5. If that made noise, drip oil or smear grease into the edges of the cup/bolt at the very front of the nose. (I used T-9, which is Boeing's version of White Lightning.) It will work its way in.

Next:

6. See the funny silver folded thing just aft of the cup and adjustment nut? See how it folds around the end of the bent rod that is the rails and frame?
7. Wiggle whatever you can there. (I wiggled the rail).
8. Did you hear more of your noise? (I didn't.)
9. Whether you did or not, drip some oil in there anyway. Can't hurt.

Finally:

Put the seat back on the bike. Do some of the stuff that you know made the seat creak before. Is it better? Good. Repeat the above as necessary to make you happy.

Still noisy? Call Bill. Some seats are just noisy, for whatever reason. He will try to help you more specifically over the phone, or replace it.

I was just CERTAIN that the noise was coming from under my butt, not from the nose. But it really was coming from the nose, I just felt it under my butt. After riding a few times I can now hear just the faintest little snap again when I'm rocking in the saddle (climbing the Evil Hill of Doom on my commute, bad form I know). Bill said grease was best. I didn't have grease, so I'll just keep applying T-9 until I built up enough wax in the cup to get rid of all the noise.