سبحن الرّزّاق

Something I’ve wanted to do for about three years now is to commute by bike to work. Not sure why I haven’t done this yet. But I think it has something to do with not having a bike.

So I’m trying to transform an older bike into a fixed-gear (as shown at right, two Free Spirit fixed-gears).

I came across an old (as me? [the bike has a little sticker that says 83 on it]) Sears Greenbriar Free Spirit for $20.

I’ve striped everything off except for the chain (need chain link remover tool) and the crankshaft, which I’ve learned is called a “one-piece.” Right now I’m trying to tackle removing the pedals, which looks harder than it sounds. I think I need some locking pliers or wrench skinny enough to fit between the pedal and crank arm and a lot of leverage (clockwise on the left side). After the pedals are removed from the crank arms, I will have to deal with a large nut that looks corroded (or galvanized even?) to the what-cha-ma-gig (crankshaft assembly?).

I would be appreciative for any ideas on how to deal with this corrosion and remove this nut. This is crucial. I guess if the bolt is forever galvanized to the crankshaft, I will have to find another bike frame. I can at least reassemble and make this bike a working bike. Inshallah.

Obviously, Im not too sure what I’m doing. But the Internet is a vast resource. And there is always the local bike shop…

Check out this Fixed Gear Gallery for more photos.