Penny Farthings Gear linkages and Dipsticks

Clive

Clive

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Quite a while ago it was discovered that penny farthing ('ordinary' bicycles to some) with cut threads on the spokes were fracturing on the threads so a rolled thread was employed and proved to be much improved. In other forums we've seen fractured cut threads on gear change linkages but after an oil change last weekend I was confused to take off the oil filler to find the dipsick missing. I was sure there was one there before so there was a senior moment of confusion while I questioned my memory before seeing the remains of it inside the oil reservoir. Fortunately I was able to retrieve it with some long tweezers to find that it had fractured on the thread. I assume the thing was vibrating like a tuning fork before finally parting company with the part screwed into the cap. Add it to the list of things which have dropped off from the vibration..... Difficult to photograph but;
Penny Farthings Gear linkages and Dipsticks
 
Praps make a new one out of plastic / nylon or similar. Unlikely to break due to vibes...
 
Simpler than that - I've had the markings tattooed onto my finger. Good job the level wasn't further down.......

I need to have my magic undooer to take off the cap so a homemade dipstick attached to it will do the job nicely. Saves weight for when I'm on the track ;)
 
Bugger. Do you think the remaining part can be extracted from the cap? Damn the beech boys and their 'good vibrations'...guess they never rode a 961!
 
Vernon240 said:
Bugger. Do you think the remaining part can be extracted from the cap? Damn the beech boys and their 'good vibrations'...guess they never rode a 961!
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No - my thoughts also; got some sharp sidecutters to try to bite onto the remaining piece but can't budge it so assumed it safe to put back on and maybe drill it out on the lathe some time.
 
Clive said:
Simpler than that - I've had the markings tattooed onto my finger. Good job the level wasn't further down.......

I need to have my magic undooer to take off the cap so a homemade dipstick attached to it will do the job nicely. Saves weight for when I'm on the track ;)
Click to expand...
Don't anyone mention this post to Estuary Boy, knowing him he might have other suggestions where you can stick your finger! :)
 
Although I had bought the newer dipstick, I found the original to be just as reliable. Glad the neck is curved so the dipstick is reachable.
 
Clive said:
Simpler than that - I've had the markings tattooed onto my finger. Good job the level wasn't further down.......

I need to have my magic undooer to take off the cap so a homemade dipstick attached to it will do the job nicely. Saves weight for when I'm on the track ;)
Click to expand...
Clive “Magic undooer“ please share the details. Mine isn’t going to come off without a fight.
 
cliffa said:
Clive “Magic undooer“ please share the details. Mine isn’t going to come off without a fight.
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Quite simply got a piece of aluminium, drilled two 6mm holes the right distance apart and pushed a couple of 6mm diameter aluminium pegs into them and a bit of heat shrink or plastic tubing. Or a bit of close grained wood;
Penny Farthings Gear linkages and Dipsticks
 
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