Cat on a Limb: Assembling a 12" Child's Bike

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Assembling a 12" Child's Bike

Before I continue on with all the fun posts I have planned, I wanted to finish the assembling of the kids bike (from this post) that I transformed for my daughter. If you've stumbled across this post looking for how to disassemble a children's bike, just start at the end and work backwards.

After I painted the bike (using self-etching primer and standard spray paint -- since the more durable metal paints don't come in pink!), I was ready to put things back together.

The first step is to attach the back portion of the chain guard (I only painted the outside, since the inside won't show).

Next are the bearings and the crank arm with chainwheel. It goes together as shown in the photo, with one set of bearings on each side of the bike frame. (I had cleaned all the old grease off the bearings.)

Grease the bearings up really well, even more than is in the photo. The bearing grease can be found at bike shops and it may be translucent or opaque.

Slide it on to the crank arm, facing away from the chainwheel, and put the crank arm through the frame.

On the other side of the frame add the other greased-up set of bearings, facing toward the frame, then thread on the other pieces and washers as shown. Tighten with pliers or a wrench. Note: One thing I learned during this project is that "lefty loosey" only applies to one side of a bike when working on the pedals and crank arm.

Next, slide the back wheel onto the frame. The nuts can be left on the ends of the bolts, but don't tighten it up yet. Lay the chain over the chainwheels.

One of the links on the chain is removable (see below).

Insert the pegged link through each end of the chain, place the 8 shaped piece over the pegs and secure with the clip.

Pull back on the bolts of the back wheel to make the chain taut, but not extremely tight. While keeping the chain taut, tighten down the nuts on both sides of the wheel. Be sure the wheel stays straight and the tire does not touch the frame.

There are often two different nuts on children's bikes, one larger and one smaller (see below), so one nut can be removed to add training wheels without the wheel coming out of alignment. Tighten the nuts on the bolts with a wrench or pliers. Also squirt some oil on the chain and spin it around a bit to distribute.

Next comes the part that wraps around part of the frame to secure the wheel.

It's easiest to remove the little bolt, bend the piece around the frame and line it up with the main piece, then insert and tighten the bolt.

Then replace and secure the main portion of the chain guard.

Now, with the bike turned upside down, slide the front wheel onto the frame.

Add the washers, with the little tabs inserted into the holes. Secure the wheel with the nuts.

Next I added the training wheels, but if you're adding them you will need to follow the manufacturer's directions as they are all different.

Thread on the pedals. Remember, one side is "righty tighty", the other side is not!

If need be, add the hand grips.

I spent a lot of time wrestling, twisting and pushing these onto the handlebars, but there's actually a fairly easy way of getting the grips on. Click HERE for a video to show you how (be sure you have zip ties around!)

I also added a new seat, along with ~~annoying~~ fancy new seat post since I accidentally threw away the perfectly fine, straight-forward original post. Plus decals, a basket, and streamers, just because.