2024, so far

Hello everyone,

I know I haven't been truly been around on the blog since 2019, 2022 didn't really count.  Things have been crazy, COVID happened, my poor bikes and the blog sat collecting dust.  I finally put 2 out of 3 of my bikes together again, since 2019, but only one bike is up and running.  I need tubes & tires for one and a handle bar bolt for the other. 

Currently the weather here has been very rainy, hasn't been the best biking weather, plus during the last few years I have been dealing with up and down health issues that have slowed me down a bit.  Now in 2024, I'm doing everything to get back into shape and be able to bike more then a mile without my body feeling like I just got ran over with a vehicle.  The other day I was able to go for a short bike ride & when I got done it came out to just under two miles and I was extremely sore, 4 years of not bicycling, health issues, and the wind didn't help.  The biggest part was that I got too confident that I could do that after 4 years of not pedaling around.  I won't do that again, lol.  

This summer is gonna yield some new opportunities for me and the blog too.  Me and a friend of mine are starting a company and with it will come 3 different business's.  A mobile Auto repair business, lawn mowing business, & a bicycle repair business.  All are in the works and haven't been started yet, but will be within the next two months once everything is set up.  

I'm also going to be setting up a Facebook group for the community too!  Once I have that all set up I will let you all know and give you all the link.  I hope that you all have a great rest of your week and weekend!  I'll be posting soon to show off the bicycle I currently have all cleaned up.   

Keep on biking everyone!!

A New Bike Repair Project

 Next summer, I'm gonna be starting up a new program where on every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, I will be riding up and down the bicycle trails in my area offering mobile repairs.  The kicker of this program is that there is no labor fees like at a bicycle shop.  The only thing I charge for are the parts that go into the repair of the customers bike.  I have to build the trailer and everything yet tho.  That is going to be my winter project, and I will update you guys as I progress this winter.  I'm anxious for summer to come and to get this started!!  I hope you guys enjoy all this content and if so please comment below, I'd love to hear from you guys!  Hope you guys have a great day and see you in the next update.

10 YEAR UPDATE

 Hey everyone, it's been awhile since I have been on my blog.  Since then a lot has happened.  I have been doing traveling, and all kinds of different work.  I left the bike shop I was working for, the owner tried to fire me for stealing tools and parts...  Well I wasn't the one doing it, it was all the sketchy people that the owner would send to the shop and they would just take what ever they could fit into their pockets and leave...  But that's the past and I have moved on.  I still do bike repairs and reselling of bikes.  I'm planning on starting up a repair business along the bike trails this next summer, It would be kinda the same as the shop I used to work for.  The only thing I would charge people for are parts, and have a tip jar out for it people wanna contribute a little more.  I wouldn't charge for labor, that's when it would be getting into being a business.   

Lately tho I have been working at a pumpkin patch, selling pumpkins, squash, hay bails, etc.  It has been a nice gig, but it's ending a few days after Halloween.  Once that is done, I'll be going back to doing Doordash for the winter.  It's pretty good money in the winter cuz no one wants to drive in the snow, lol.  Well I'm gonna head to work and sell some pumpkins, I'll update more later today and let you guys know what's to come on the blog.  Hope you guys have a great day!

-D

Wow it has been crazy!

It's been crazy these last 6 months!!  things have been insane.  ive moved three times, gotten hit in the back of the head with a full pop can, and a sandwich while on bike (two different times), hauled a lot of wood with my bike, ive started a new job, new girlfriend, etc...   Life is so different for me rn, i can't believe it!  Im gonna start posting things for spring so that you guys can gear up for the new year of 2020!!!!!  See you guys on the flip side and keep on biking!!

Autobike

 A few days ago my father-in-law called me up and asked if i could check over a couple bikes he just bought on a garage sale.  Of course I said yes.  When he got to my house, he procedded to tell me that one of these bikes shifts by its self..  I looked at him and said "what?"  I took it for a test drive,  and this is how i understand that it works.   Basically the faster your wheels spin,  the more it will shift,  with the helps of weighs on the spokes.   It works really well,  better than i imagined!  I still have yet to do more research on this bike but i had to post about it,  because it was different.

Keep on Biking!!!

Getting ready!

Ive been getting ready to mount my 2 stroke engine.   Im planning on putting it onto my Kent street bike.   Ive been waiting for the chain tensioner wheel to come in the mail.   The tracking hasn't been real accurate,  so I'm just hoping it comes before Saturday.  My project for tomorrow is taking the gear off of my old hub.   I might use this hub, once I remove the spokes, to rebuild the orange bikes rear wheel.   I will keep updating as I go on.

These two spokes got ripped out of the rim from the last chain tensioner wheel that went through it... 

I will post when the tensioner wheel comes in the mail.   Have a great day!

Keep on Biking!

A Little Cracked Up...

A few days ago I was biking home on my orange single speed(1940s solid steel frame), from doing errends uptown.   I got to the top of a hill just before my apartment.  I was pedaling so good so I could coast all the way down,  when all of a sudden my back wheel locked up...   I got off and looked at it,  just saw that the back wheel had shifted in the drop out,  didnt think much of it. 

After hauling the bike home 4 block on my shoulders,  and sitting for 3 days, I looked closer at the hub and saw that it had completely shifted,  wrecking a bearing the bearing cup. I also realized that the hub has a large crack!  I didnt see it when it first happened because, i was only now able to rotate the wheel.   I could probubly still use the hub,  but it wont last long...   I might rebuild it later on down the road,  but for now,  ill just be taking it apart to see the rest of the damage.   In my next post ill detail what happened inside the hub,  and the conclusion on what made this happen.   Thanks for reading,  dont forget to follow me!

Keep on Biking!

Im back!

Im back after many years of being away from bicycles.  I have some work to do, but i will start posting again. If you have any questions or story ideas. Email me at: bemidjiyehudamoon@gmail.com.
I hope to see you later!

"Mo-Ped" update

Hey everyone,

I have been working on getting the motor running, but I ran into a little problem.  One of the Piston rings broken, and because of that the motor doesn't have enough pressure inside the engine to constantly idle or run.  I am currently waiting for the part to come in, but the part is being ordered from China and it should be at my door step around Thanksgiving.  I'm hoping that it comes sooner so I can get it running sooner.  The bicycle that I am installing the motor onto is a Genisis Onyx 29er Black Cruiser bike that I bought from Walmart for a little over $165.00.  The motor is meant for 26" wheels, but I think that it should work for the 29" rims.  It just means that I will be going a few miles an hour slower then on a 26" rimed bike.



This is what my "mo-ped" I call it, will end up looking like, I will post pictures of it when I get it all put together and running.  Until then I will be waiting for the part, but I will be trying to add some informational posts for Winter biking, and some of the things you'll need to do so if you choose to or are brave enough.  I have had people come up to me and tell me that I'm crazy and others that give kudos to me for doing it.  This will be my fifth winter that I will be enduring on a bicycle.


Keep on Biking....

Half bicycle, half motorcycle??

Lately I have been working on a project.  I have been working assembling a motor onto a bicycle.  You can buy motor kits online for anywhere between $80.00 to $150.00, depending on where you buy it from and if it's new or used.  I bought mine off of Ebay for $86.80.  It's an 80cc motor kit, they come with all the parts needed to turn your bicycle into a DIY motorcycle.  I have my motor on a old Denault three speed bicycle and it wasn't a good turn out.  It worked for about three days, and the spokes In the rear wheel started popping left and right, and also the frame width between chain stays wasn't wide enough.  The chain started ratting away at the frame and made the entire bike unsafe to ride...  I set the bike aside for now, but I am going to be buying a new bicycle tomorrow thatI know can handle the stress of having a motor attached to it.  I will also be having pictures and descriptions to go along with everything.

Keep on biking...

Proper Derailleur Maintenance

Few of us really appreciate how hardworking and integral the rear derailleur is until it stops functioning perfectly. Then you’re stuck with, at best, an imprecise and clattery ride. So the next time you climb with little—well, a little less—effort, give a nod to this marvel of engineering. Here’s how it works—plus tips to keep it running like new.

1. The upper area on the derailleur is the b-knuckle.

2. On Shimano and SRAM derailleurs, the b-tension adjuster fine-tunes the height of the guide pulley. On Campagnolo derailleurs, the adjustment is done via a screw near the p-knuckle.

3. To adjust cable tension, use the barrel adjuster.

4. The guide pulley keeps the chain in line as it moves from cog to cog during shifts.

5. The idler pulley helps hold tension on the chain regardless of gear choice.

6. The mounting bolt connects the derailleur to the frame.

7. The parallelogram linkage lets the chain move left and right and up and down the cassette while remaining parallel to the cogs.

8. High and low limit stops are usually found near the b-knuckle but sometimes on the front of the parallelogram. The low limit (often marked L) prevents shifts into the spokes; the high limit (marked H) prevents the chain from dropping off the smallest cog.

9. The p-knuckle holds both the guide pulley and a spring that keeps tension on the cage to hold the chain taut. Shimano’s XTR Shadow Plus (for mountain bikes) has a switch that increases spring tension and activates a friction stabilizer to keep the chain from bouncing in rough terrain.

10. The cable bolt pinches the shift cable in place. On most derailleurs, when the shift lever pulls on the cable, the derailleur moves up the cassette to a lower gear. The exception: Shimano’s low-normal derailleurs, on which it does the opposite.

11. The cage keeps the chain in line between the pulleys.

Clean and Adjust
For the best performance, position the guide pulley (4) roughly 6 to 7mm away from the cogs. If your chain skips when you shift to a lower gear, give the barrel adjuster (3) a half-turn counterclockwise (Tip: Think L for lower and for left turn). A higher gear? Try a halfturn clockwise. After cleaning, add a few drops of lube to the pivot points (there are eight) of the parallelogram linkage (7), cycle through a few shifts, then wipe off any excess lube. When you clean your chain, clear the muck from the inner and outer surfaces of both pulleys (4 & 5)—it collects at the base of their teeth.

Article From "Bicycling.com"

Other Related Articles and Pages:
-http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Bicycles/Maintenance_and_Repair/Derailleurs/Rear_Derailleur_Adjustment
-http://www.wikihow.com/Adjust-a-Rear-Bicycle-Derailleur

hey biking community...

I am still around, I have just been in the process of moving and getting my life in order lately,  now with spring coming up, I have some good posts that I am working on...

Keep on Biking...

Shifting gears bike shop is closed

We are closed for a couple weeks, we are currently remodeling.  I will post when we are reopened.

Thanks,

New years day bike ride

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone, welp here in Bemidji, MN we had our new years day bike ride.  Not as many people came out this year as last year, i think the temp scared people away.  It was -11 degrees out.  I was one of them that rode, i lead the ride most of the way.  We started at the Cabin Coffeehouse Café 

and went down to our waterfront, 

then to the Sanford event centre.

The ride was 7 miles long, i only went for 5 because my toes got really cold...  Two of the riders; Natalie and Shaun went all the way around Lake Bemidji, ( thats 17.6 miles long).  We ended at the Cabin Café with hot chocolate/coffee and chocolate chip cookies, yum!  We also had on display, the new Nice Ride bicycle that will be introduced to Bemidji in Early to mid April, 2014.  

Although it will be neon orange and have a basket on the front.  

Well i hope you all have a good new year, and lets bike our way into 2014...

Keep on Biking in the cold...

Guest writers

I have had some of you comment asking to either guest write on here or have me guest write on their website/blog.  I am willing to do both, but i can not access blogs or emails from the comment section for some reason.  So if you wanna talk about guest writing, please email me: bemidjiyehudamoon@gmail.com

-i have also had some of you ask for advice, if you want advice of writing, blog sites, starting your own blog, feel free to email me about that as well, im here to answer your questions.  No question is stupid either...

I hope to hear from you...

Keep on biking...

Merry Christmas to all

Happy holidays to everyone.  The new year is coming and so are new years resolutions.  And i have a few:

1: i will be putting new posts every thursday.

2: i will be winter riding more often.  ( i have only riden my bike once this winter).

!!!ATTENTION!!!

I am looking for guest writers for the new year.  If you want to be a guest writer please email me at: bemidjiyehudamoon@gmail.com, subject line: guest writer.  

Keep on Winter Biking...

Homemade Xtra-cycle

I have created an extended bicycle.  I am doing a few tweaks to it yet, but it rides in all 21 gears.  I used two bike frames that used 700c rims, i took the fork out of the black bike along with the handlebars.  Put the seat post of the red bike through the front tube, and into the seat tube of the red bike.  Then i took the right side of the crank assembly on the black off, and put a left crank arm on the right side with both arms facing same direction.  I put bolts through each pedal bolt hole, and thrugh the rear drop out of the red bike.  I  am going to try and build a few more in the next few weeks.  I will be updating my progress on them...

Keep on Biking....

Transitioning from summer to winter riding

Well im only almost a week late, but i have been working on articles.  Lifes been busier than usual and rediculious.  So here it is:

Transitioning from summer to winter riding

Well, its winter time again.  Time to take off the street tires and slap on the studded tires.  Add space between our tires and our fenders, getting the long johns out and putting the t-shirts away.    Riding in the summer is easy to plan for and so it winter (sometimes), but the transition between the two is the tricky point.  Can be 10 degrees in the morning and 80 by the time you get home.  I have a few steps to help you transition:

1: Wear wool,

Wool, especially marino wool is very warm and also breathable for those warmer times.  I wear a marino wool ballacalava, locally made wool gloves/mittens, and wool socks.  Wool also helps discuise that sweat smell if you happen to sweat while riding.

2: carry a change of clohing,

Carry along a change of clothing for warmer weather, just incase.  The weather men arent always right, and with that said maybe also carry warmer clothes too just incase it dips farther down.

3: get winter or studded tires,

You will want tires to help you stay up on the snow and ice,  studded tires are great for if you ride on a lot of ice, but mountain tires are great for riding in just snow.  If you are riding in both snow and ice, then i would suggest studded tires.

To be continued in hopefully less than a week.

Keep on Biking...

How to Buy a Bicycle

I found this article on Wikihow, and I think it describes the process really well.


How to Buy a Bicycle:

When you go to a bike shop to buy a bicycle, you may feel overwhelmed by the selection. This article will help you to find the perfect bike by telling you which bike to look for, how to test drive it, and how to get the best deals at a bike shop or through the Web.

EditSteps

Part One: Picking Out Your Bike

1. 1
   Decide which type of bike you want. Will you use the bike to ride around town, hit the trails or climb mountains, or a combination of both?
   • Buy a road bike for riding on smooth pavement. Road bikes have lighter frames and slimmer tires. They are not designed to ride over rough terrain, so they don't have suspension systems that absorb shock. Road bikes are a good fit for riders with a strong back. Flexibility is needed due to bent over riding position.
     
     
     
   • Choose a mountain bike for riding on trails or mountain biking. The tires are large with significant tread, which helps to grab the surface and propel you forward when you're going uphill. Also, the frame is heavier, and the bike has a suspension system to absorb shock. Most mountain bike handlebars are straight and can create discomfort if rode long distance on paved trails.
     
     
     
   • Pick a hybrid bicycle. If you want to ride your bike around the neighborhood and want a upright riding position. Some hybrids with double walled rims can handle some off road riding.[1]
     
     
     
2. 2
   Appraise yourself as a cyclist. Be honest about your current ability, and consider where you'd like to be in the future. Purchase a bike that's right in the middle of your current skill level and your ideal vision of yourself.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Set your price range. You can always purchase a used bike if you're on a budget. Try to find a bike shop with a trade in program.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Ask your friends. If you have friends who are cyclists, ask them for recommendations before you buy a bicycle. If you don't know any cyclists, then e-mail your local cycling club.
   
   
   
5. 5
   Research bikes online. Online is a great option to consider when buying a bike. Because online retailers don't necessarily have to showcase and stock their bikes, they can pass on the savings to in the form of a cheaper price.
   
   
   
   • Compare frames and components so that you are familiar with the important parts of a bike. You should primarily look for a good frame. You can always upgrade components later. Getting the right fit is extremely important. [2]
     
     
     
   • Most bike shops are there to help you get started and will guide you. Don't go in with online printouts. Bike shops cannot compete with high volume. They offer service and certified technicians.
     
     
     

Part Two: Test Driving Your Options

1. 1
   Sit on the bike to check the fit. Are you too stretched out? Are the controls easy to use and reach? How do you feel? What is your overall impression?
   
   
   
   • Notice the distance from the seat to the bottom of the pedal stroke and the angle at which you have to lean to hold the handlebars.
   • The frame size of the bike is fixed, so take the time to try several different options to find the best fit.
2. 2
   Check the tires. A slimmer tire is better for quick riding, and a slicker tread is better for city riding over smoother surfaces. For safety and convenience, look for tires that have built-in flat protection.[3]
   
   
   
3. 3
   Test drive the bike to see if you like it. Like a car, a bike is usually something you want to try out before you purchase it. It might look nice and dandy, but if it doesn't feel good and respond to your body in the proper way, what's the use?
   
   
   
   • Consider the weight of the frame. A lighter frame is easier to propel but will also be more expensive.
     
     
     
   • Your body should feel comfortable as you ride. Your knee should bend slightly at the bottom of the pedal revolution. You should be able to reach the brakes easily, and your upper body shouldn't feel cramped on a flat surface.
     
     
     
   • Make sure that the bicycle handles turns smoothly and that you can sit and stand easily while you're on a hill.
     
     
     

Part Three: Buying a New or Used Bicycle in Person

1. 1
   Call your local bike shops. Find out what types of bikes they sell, and choose a shop that specializes in the kind of bike that you want. It might be helpful to have a budget in mind.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Walk the sales floor and check out the bikes that you've researched. Tell the salesperson your goals, and ask for recommendations.
   • Be wary of a salesperson who steers you toward a significantly different type of bike, particularly if that bike is out of your price range.
   • At the same time, listen to suggestions. For example, if the salesperson recommends a slightly different frame style than the ones you've researched, ask why. If the salesperson has a good explanation, then consider the suggestion.
3. 3
   Ask the bike shop about service plans. Many shops, for example, offer a year of free tune-ups along with your purchase.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Negotiate your price. If you printed prices from online source, then show the prices to the salesperson to see if the shop will match the price. If the shop offers you a slightly lower price or throws in a service plan, then you may have a good deal.
   
   
   

Part Four: Buying a New or Used Bike Online

1. 1
   Find the bicycle that you want on the Web. With an online purchase, you get to shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You're also more likely to find a competitive price.
   
   
   
   • Look for retailers in your area who have brick-and-mortar stores as well as online purchase options. That way, you can test drive the bike at the store and then buy the bike you want online.
   • Check out sites like eBay, Bicycle Peddler and Craigslist for used bikes.
     • EBay can be a great choice because, since you'll be bidding on the bike, you'll stick with your budget. You will have to pay for shipping if you don't buy from a local salesperson.
     • Craigslist can also be great because you can pick up your bike locally, and you probably won't have to assemble it. You'll also have the chance to test drive it before you buy it.
     • Bicycle Peddler is also a good place to look. The site is just starting out but has one of the best advanced searches for both new and used bike.[4]
2. 2
   Order your bike and either pick it up or wait for it to arrive.
   
   
   
• If your bike comes in pieces, take it to your local bike shop and pay someone to assemble it for maximum safety. Even if your bike comes from another retailer, you will still need to develop a relationship with your local bike retailer in case you need future assistance.[5]
• Test drive the bike after it's put together. If you don't like it, and you bought it from a retailer, disassemble it and ship it back or return it to a brick-and-mortar store.

Keep on Biking....

CALL FOR GUEST WRITERS!!!

If you have something you'd like to contribute, please write it up in an email and send it to: bemidjiyehudamoon@gmail.com with the subject of Guest Writer Confession.  I will review what you have and if I like what you sent me I will post it here, I will refuse to post things that don't have all the facts, are not relevant, or anything else that I deem unfit to post.  I would like to have Guest Writers, because I  don't have time to write every other day, so if you have relevant bicycle info that you would like to have shared, please email it to me.

Thank You,

Keep on Biking....