Yesterday I decided to look at my chain with the idea of cleaning and lubing it. It's a Multistrada and I was removing the little plastic cover over the chain using a hex bit in a socket. The bit fell out and disappeared into the gubbins around the rear hub. No matter how hard I looked, wheeled the bike to and fro, jiggled I could not get it to fall out. I need the bike on Sunday as am on a course in Middlesbrough and am using the bike to travel up. I had already ordered a ABBA stand so this morning went down to Machine Mart in Exeter to pick up a torque wrench, breaker bar and 55mm 12 sided socket. No sockets was the reply! Doh! Went to the couriers to pick up the Abba stand and noticed a Renault Truck dealers and thought, big lorries need big sockets! Went in and they asked one of the mechanics who was into bikes. Even though he was on his break he phoned round everyone he could and managed to get me the loan of a socket from one of the local bike mechanics! Went home and got the wheel off and found the bit lodged in a crevice, I had not wanted to ride the bike in case the bit rattled loose and jammed the wheel or caused damage. Without the help of a total stranger I would be stuffed so a massive thank you to Nick at Renault trucks on Marsh Barton, Exeter.
Yeah, I will admit to toying with the idea of going for a ride and hoping it fell out on its own but quickly came to my senses! As a result I can now adjust my chain and remove my wheel for cleaning which makes it all MUCH easier!
