I noticed how much grit and road grime had gotten in the bottom bracket, jockey wheels and the headset after a rain ride around the Concord area, near Boston with [MENTION=190941]jimmuller[/MENTION] and his lovely stoker, Sharon, last April. The fine asphalt grit produced by vehicular traffic just seeps into everything that isn't protected by a seal. Modern bearings are usually sealed cartridge, less intrusion of the offending stuff the water carries in the bearings and races.

Jim mentioned to me that he would be thoroughly cleaning their tandem, and it would be a good idea for me to do the same thing to my Medici. He was right on point about it, thankfully I listened and it got a cursory cleaning just to pack it for the flight home, but on return to Pensacola, everything got taken down, cleaned and greased then reassembled.

Bill