Bicycle advice on early 90’s Kona Fire Mountain

Hello
I’ve had the bike since given it in about 1998. Has been used and abused every day since. Left outside. Etc etc

The bike has been fantastic and unless you knew what it was, no one really thinks it’s nickable so you don’t have to worry about it.

Anyway, the ‘slight’ movement in the bottom bracket has progressively got worse and it’s time to replace it and the chain and sprocket set since I’m there.

Does anyone know what to buy and where to buy it from? I’m sure the original parts are obsolete.

Is it a difficult job. I think a specialist crank/ b.b. tool is needed?

Any advice welcomed.

 

You’ll need a chain whip to lock the freewheel while you crack the nut off the sprocket - a bit like when you lock off the alternator pulley doing your fan belt. Chain will have a quick link to remove it and you get a new one with the new chain. Although the new chain will be too long so you need a link extractor tool to drive the link out at the right spot. Bottom bracket will probably be the external type which needs a splined socket to remove / install. You might need an extractor to take the crank arm off the non-drive side. Chain reaction etc sell it all as will decathlon and your local bike shop - if you have one. It’s easy to do - a work stand helps - but for the outlay, you might want to spend £100 on a service. There’s lots of mobile bike service people these days who’ll have everything you need. Ride safe

edit: I piled in before the photos appeared. I was thinking it’d be a single speed for some reason. You also need a different splined tool to remove the cassette (the rear sprockets) it’ll be shimano or Campag format which ain’t interchangeable. Probably shimano even if it’s made by another manufacturer. Make sure you get the correct ‘speed’ chain - how many sprockets - as the chains get narrower the higher the number and… they ain’t interchangeable.

 

I’d start by identifying the group set- it’s not shimano by the look of it. There looks to be a make on the rear derailleur but it needs a wipe to see it. Also need a photo of the bottom bracket area from the other side

 

Cheers folks. Sounds a bit scary but for the visual learner like me, it might be a few youtube clips are on the cards. I tend to service it myself but not so hot on indexing gears and the like but I tackle most other stuff. Is a chain whip a bit like the tool you take off oil filters with (non aircooled motoring here! ) . Photo of other side added.

 

It’s not an external bb, that black bit next to the frame should have a flat spot where you can a big spanner on it I think. You need to remove the crank arm first though. And I think you need a puller. It’s been ages since I had one of them. There’s loads on you tube here’s removing the cassette with a chain whip. The other tool is a flash version of the splined socket for its lock ring.

 

You guys are good!
Wiped off the grease to reveal ‘Shimano six’. There are 7 sprockets at the rear.

 

Chain Reaction

 

Not familiar with that bottom bracket. You’ll probably find if you undo Allen key on cranks and hopefully they’ll come off without an extractor, that the bottom bracket cap will show a need for a shimano tool. Usually a few quid from EBay,

I wouldn’t got to all that bother without changing the shifter cables though.

I’d do it my self because I’ve got tools and enjoy it, but you may be how surprised cheap a bike shop can do it for. Depends you want to invest a little and buy a few cheap tools

 

Type of kit you’d need / some type of attachment to get the bb off, whip to tighten cassette, splined attachment to lock cassette, gear cable set

 

Brilliant @Little Nellie Thank you. What is that tool called in the second photo called for the b.b.?
I also recognise your tag line. Very funny, just can't quite place it. Carry on? Comic strip presents?

 

It’s a bottom bracket tool or adapter . Yours look like it may be slightly different, but will be same kind of thing. Probably a google search when you can see it better with cranks off

 

Perfect. Thank you.

 

I’m unaware of an amusing tag line, but will happy take the credit for the well engineered whit behind it (if there is any)

 

If the only issue is the BB then just change the BB . Start messing with new chain on an old cassette or chain wheel (front) and that's a whole new can of worms !

I've a cheapo service kit you're welcome to borrow , nothing flash but I've never been stuck - I'll pm you

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

 

That’s for an external bb mate - the one you don’t have. See the difference in the pics on little nellie’s bike.
Edit: you need the one for and internal bearing type man. Drive side is lefty tighty and if you are going to change chain, you need to do the cassette too as they wear together and will skip if you just do one or t’other. Three chains per cassette is the rule.

 

Yeh, bb tool was shown as an example, as mentioned yours will be different but you’ll see when you take cranks off

 

I’d always put a new chain on

 

L-R (or top to bottom) crank puller, another crank puller, freewheel lock tool, internal bearing bb tool, external bearing bb tool.