Boring Bike Stuff!

After fitting the new lithium battery into the trailer I promptly forgot to take a photo. 

My battery mounting frame.

The three Watt meters in the trailer electrical box were then checked to ensure they worked with the new battery.  I can monitor:

• Solar power IN
• Alternator power IN
• Battery consumption OUT

You will have to wait for a photo <sorry!>

Today it was ebike cleaning time.  I've decided to wax the chain instead of oiling it.  Reputably this both reduces the frequency at which the chain gets dirty and extends its life.  Rather than buy bike chain wax I made some.  My technique was to use my pocket knife to shave a standard candle and then dissolve the shaving in Shellite.  After removing the chain from the bike it went into the ultrasonic cleaner for an hour before being placed in the wax solution.

There's a chain immersed in that 'grey' solution.  The chain spent 24 hours in the solution before drying.  The process was then repeated.

During this time the Shimano Alfine internally geared hub was stripped and cleaned.  This was the first time I'd disassembled the hub.  In the past I've done the standard oil change and cleaning fluid routine.  I've actually been servicing the hub (doing oil changes) at four times the recommended frequency.

The rear chain sprocket looked dirty so that went into the ultrasonic cleaner for an hour.  It came out looking like new

The oil on the outside of the hub internals looked reasonably clean.  But then I only changed it two months ago.

The hub was placed in an empty soft drink bottle full of petrol which was then placed into the ultrasonic cleaner for an hour.

Whilst the cleaner was doing its job I cleaned and inspected the interior of the hub.  Everything looked fine.

After cleaning, the gears looked good.

The petrol was black.  Obviously some impurities were removed

I wanted to know if any swarf (metal filings) had been removed during the cleaning.  I placed some magnets into the container

 

Oh Yes!  The magnets collected a significant amount.  I'm pleased they are no longer grinding away inside the hub.

Reassembling the hub took some time.  My old eyes can't pick out the fine details and I ended up using a magnifying glass.  The hub was then refilled with fresh gear oil.