some time ago i've added mudguards to my bike and thought that any type of lubricant on mudguard fixing bolts is not a good idea, as it may increase the chance of them rattling loose. so i've attached the mudguards with dry bolts and they stayed fine, until (two years later) i decided to check if they are still tight, and tight they were. i sheared one bolt head, then had to undo another - same story.. doh! they were properly fused with the frame (alloy frame/steel bolts). i've managed to take one out by drilling, dremeling and tapping - yay! not so lucky with another broken bolt. drilled out the 3.2mm guide hole, tried to tap it out with 4mm tap (the original thread is 5mm), and the tap broke off inside! after grinding off the pointy bit of broken tap (so it doesn't foul the chain) i kept on riding with the mudguard attached to the rack mount holes, which was fine. but every time i cleaned the bike i was wondering how can i get this burger out:
then, i found this
brilliant advice. while the cat's away, a mini lab was set up in the kitchen:
the frame was simmering nicely and the inclusion was melting away, to my surprise:
five hours later - ta da!!
the lacquer on the dropout was stained by iron oxide in the water, barely noticeable:
order and harmony restored!
(and any evidence in the kitchen cleared)
