paulmars

It's making a light squeaking noise when I pedal. Not sure i want to take that apart, but maybe I should. It does not have excessive free play. it is NOT the pedals. It just started a few weeks ago, but maybe I could not hear it previously.

This bike is OLD. 1950s or 60s. When I found it in 2013 it was laying in someone's backyard missing wheels and seat. Handle bars are slightly too low, but cant break loose that adjusting bolt. It sat in my garage for several years until I found a seat and wheels/tires. Then I started riding it weekly, about 7 miles a week.

Im thinking for now just wait and see, but if it starts making more noise or the axle free play increases, I should try and take it apart.

I really like this old bike and the longer it lasts the better.

Yes the seat looks bad, but that width is great for me. Basket I added for carrying home large watermelon.

Im hoping it wont catastrophically fail during one of my trips.

paulmars

I did attach pics, but I dont see them.

Rolla

You can't add pics until you have ten posts. Would like to see what you're dealing with here -- maybe put pics on a hosting site and post a link.

Iride01

If it's not causing real issues then don't worry about the squeak. Not that you shouldn't check every possible cause though. One being the bolts holding your chainrings to the crank spider.

Older cranks might require a special tool to hold the nut on the backside. Newer cranks might need a Torx bit and will be damaged if you try to use an allen that seems to fit up until you get to the torque needed and damage the socket on the bolt.

If you link pic, remove the https:// and put a space on either side of any . or period.


Two posts in almost eight years! That's quite a long while to lurk this forum. Welcome to your coming out!

andrewclaus

Does the squeak go away if you pedal while standing? If so, pay attention to the seat and seat post.

I'm going to guess it has an Ashtabula crank. If so, you can probably fix it with basic household tools.

paulmars

it squeaks while riding and when upside down in my drvway.

paulmars

whats the best grease for a 60 yo abused bike?

Iride01

Unused grease.

Mr. 66

A bike that old, I would carefully clean, wipe down with oil to liven the paint, oil the chain. Pedals that age could squeak at various points in or outsides.

You may want to put some oil to the bearings you can't get to and some PB Blaster to the stuck spot, a few applications could help free things up. The PB is good for the old bolts and threads if you want to tear it apart.