Busted In Deluz Populaire- Shifter repair update.

Rebuilt 9-Speed Dura Ace Shifters and tools used

Riding the SOMA, after finally getting the rear wheel trued up well enough to keep it straight. Think I have to much tension on the drive side spokes, but we'll see.  Only geared bike I have that works, now that the Dura Ace shifter went south on the SL-1.

I had rebuilt the 7700C shifters with some parts I got off John Mestemacher shifters. They are not exactly the same, as his Dura Ace models doesn't have the "Flightdeck" module and wiring in there. Some parts are a lot different, even the rubber boots! I packed the gears and levers with my favorite tractor grease. When I road tested for function, there were real stiff and "sort of worked". I took them off and ripped into them again. I took them apart and this time I flushed out the grease and used a heavy chain oil instead. I brushed all the parts with that and poured some into the gears, which would lube the bearing set too. I also replace the small lever and spring with used parts for the other shifter. On the road test, they seemed to work much better and may even be "road worthy" again. More road testing required on this.

Tighten bearings with home-made 9mm wrench

Joe Morgan at Nytro said you can use a 10 speed Shimano shifter with a 9 speed cassette! Said it works fine? That may be an option, either a TT bar end 10- speed shifter, 10-speed brifters or bar ends? Those 9-speed Dura Ace Shifters first came out in 1997 and went through several mods until the 7800 10 speed models came out in 2004. Guess they had a good life already.

Replaced grease with "Chain-L" oil.

Instead of the regular DeLuz route, I thought I would do some add on miles and included the Circle R, Lilac Road, Couser climb and Rice Canyon in there too. Only saw one rider coming down Ride Canyon. He has the right idea. Nice weather and regular headwinds. Rode with a huge rider on the SLR Bike Path to Oceanside. Chatted a bit with him. He had a new Specialized carbon bike with all the goodies. Also a new Garmin 510, which he was trying to tell me had maps, but he had never loaded a route in there. Every time I mentioned something about the Garmin, he had already done it! This guy weighed 250 #, at least. Said he could loose the weight by riding. I mentioned life style changes and he said he likes his food too much. I suggested he needed more than good luck!

I'm climbing at 2 cogs lower now on this bike set up. Legs don't feel that good anyway. Must be the diet.

_randorides