Cycle Repairing and Adjusting
With a Chapter on building a Bicycle from a Set of Parts

CHAPTER III Tyre Tube Repairing Testing Tube for Small Punctures.—Slightly inflate the tube and immerse it, for about 6 in. to 8 in. at a time, in water contained in a bowl or pail, slightly stretching the tube while immersed. Go carefully round the tube until a leakage is manifested by the air bubbles rising to the surface. Now mark the puncture carefully with an indelible pencil. A netted bag is sold in which to envelop the air tube whilst being tested ; the cost is about a shilling. By this means the tube can be inflated much more than is otherwise possible, and the location of very small punctures is facilitated. Patching Tubes.—In fixing a patch on a punctured tube, do not be content with simply rubbing off the sulphur and chalk from the surface with glasspaper, but clean it thoroughly with petrol before applying two coats of solu- tion. This also applies to the patch ; and do not be in too great a hurry to fix the patch, but allow time for the solution to dry to the proper “ tackiness.” When executing a roadside repair resist the temptation of hurrying the job to get going again, and allow ample time, as the job may have to be done all over again before many miles have been covered. There is no hard and fast rule as to the length of time to give solution to dry, as some makes take longer than others ; but it should be remembered that 90 per cent. 54