i give up
how to i get my rear wheel back on?
are there any diagrams out there?

- Shift to the high gear on the rear shifter. It should be the right side shifter toward the front wheel... should be but not always.

- Start the rear wheel into place and put the rear gears/freewheel in place between the two horizontal runs (top and bottom) of the chain. Put the chain on the high gear (the smallest one on the right side as you are sitting on the bike.

- Wiggle the axle into the dropouts.

- Make sure the right side axle is all the back into the dropout. The left side axle will not be all the way back in the dropout when the wheel is centered due to the right side having the derailer in the way.

- Secure the wheel with the quick release or nuts, whichever it has.

You may need to deflate the tire so it will pass between the brake pads if you don't have release lever to open up the caliper a bit.

Here's a video to help out: https://bicycletutor.com/remove-install-wheels/

That's a great site. I use it a lot.

How you doing Hasek? I got your email, thanks.

And next time, if you're not sure you'll remember how something goes together, take pics of it before you take it apart.

thanks
an image wouldn't have helped..i knew what it was supposed to look like
i just couldn't image how to get there.

apparently the 12th time is the charm
i pulled up and it went through the derailleur - i still don't know what exactly happened as my POV was looking down.

the hard part was still trying to get the damn axle into the dropouts (front and back)
as one has to spread the forks while making the wheel go UP.
i am sure new bikes all slip into nicely and evenly 1st time everytime, but none of them even vaguely interest me.

This is the object of my attentions...i picked up the black enamel rack at a yard sale
i seem to have everything back where it came from though
i am not up to speed on 10-speeds as it is not shifting easily
though that could be operator error.

well for starters I can see an awful lot of slack in the rear derailer cable in the picture and the routing isn't ideal, it should ideally enter the cable stop the same smooth way the front derailer cable does, looks like it's entwined with the rear brake cable, i'ld start with rerouting those control cables and getting the tension right. and I agree it can take some wrangling to get some of those wheels back in, I've found it helpful sometimes to pull the derailer towrads the back so it's out of the way of the freewheel.

we've got a police auction here this week and I'ld like to find a cool old bike like that.

Your shifter cable is flopping all over the place! No wonder it doesn't shift well!

thanks! i will fix that next.

i'm a three gear girl, this is my 1st foray into multiple gears.

You're doing fine. Learn one or two things a week, and you'll be giving others advice in a couple months.

id rather push my cruiser or 3speed than ride a new 21speed. new is shiney, but the classics are forever.

They're up to 33 speed now I think

think i have about 9 bikes now and have sold 4 already
and the more i try, the more i like my 69 Armstrong 3-speed.
i would never go anywhere without her.