Hey [MENTION=205284]rekmeyata[/MENTION],

thanks for your advice.....I think it is very sound advice. I will use it, I promise. I gave the bike over to my bike shop guy for final tuning after cleaning everything up as best I could..........

i plan to use my old Sears bike as the sacrificial lamb to help me learn how to: take down to bare frame, replace parts as need be, put back together, repaint, and make like new.....I really like that challenge......hell, what other types of things should retired people ,committ themselves to a worthwhile project, and go for it !!