Techy Posts   

If you found this page you must be the DIY type. For you people who actually know how to twist a wrench.

Recon : Use Google maps/Google earth to find spots

This is some 2007 Buck Rogers shit, finding riding spots with a satellite in outer space. Most people have pulled directions off of Google maps but you can use it for aerial recon just as easy, just like your own personal spy satellite. Google Earth is a free little program you download here, basically like Google Maps for the whole Earth. It also shows buildings in 3-D in the cities, and you can use it just like Google Maps. Shit, you can even display the nearest hospitals, but hey that's bad luck right? Around a year ago we started looking for spots this way around our area and it paid off... and that's what we're about to do so follow along with me..

Pic1: Type in your start address. The green arrow shows your start point.  Pic2: Once you set your start point, zoom back and look around for big roofs, lots and industrial/commercial-looking areas. Thees types of spots are usually in the cut and not always near the residential areas. Pic3: Once you spot something, zoom back in. Look for exits and entrances, gates, that kind of thing. Never hurts to know where to dip off to if you get CHASED the first time you go. Pic4: Now it's not too easy to spot actual stuff to ride, besides staircases and stuff. This time I was able to spot this bank, and it turns out there's a ton of other stuff in this complex. Pic5: Go peep the spot!

Hookup: Fly/Superstar Style Chain Tensioner

Maybe you've seen the new Superstar Light my Fire and New Deal frames, or the Fly Bikes 3 Amigos. They all rock a built-in chain tensioner that's basically a gyro tab mounted to the dropout in front of the peg, with a bolt threaded through it which pushes the peg back when tightened. If you run a tensioner, the plus is you'll have nothing sticking out behind the dropout and it's cleaner and more tech. I can show you how to make this setup work on almost anything, but you'll need a bolt-on Gyro tab (Guiri tab style), 1 small bolt and nut that will fit thru the tab mounting hole (a lock nut works best), and a bolt that's the same thread as a brake barrel adjuster. You're also gonna need a drill and Dremel tool or cutting wheel to do this right, but you can maybe use a hacksaw if you're the primitive type.

Start by cutting one side off the gyro tab with the cutting wheel. Screw the adjuster bolt through it and place it on the outside of the dropout between the stays, and eyeball it. Leave about 1/4" between the tab and peg, and make sure the adjuster bolt is pointing at the middle of the peg. You want to do this with the wheel, chain and peg on, and with the chain tight. Mark your spot to drill once you get it situated. If you've got a tungsten/carbide drill bit you'll have a much easier time drilling through cro-mo. Once you have the hole drilled, bolt the tab to the dropout with the smaller bolt/nut, with the nut on the inside of the dropout. Line it all up and make sure it looks good. If you're using a locknut, just tighten it up, and cut off the excess bolt that sticks  through it. If you're not using a locknut (like in the pics) then make sure you put some Locktite on the bolt to keep it from backing off. Now thread the adjuster bolt through and you're done. With the axle bolts semi tight, you can use the adjuster to make fine adjustments in chain tension, and it'll keep your back wheel from moving up after sprocket tricks. Bow to the Masta.