Bicycle pump not working

I have a 15+ y/o bicycle pump that's not working anymore. It appears
that the rubber thing inside needs to be replaced. Is that thing
called a rubber grommet? And can I get one at hardware store such as
Home Depot? I don't want to pay $10-15 for a new pump. Although, If I
have to pay more than $5 for a new rubber thing than I might as well
get a better pump.

Here are some pictures of that rubber thing - http://geocities.com/littleboyblu87/pump.html

"Mike S." wrote:
I have a 15+ y/o bicycle pump that's not working anymore. It appears
that the rubber thing inside needs to be replaced. Is that thing
called a rubber grommet? And can I get one at hardware store such as
Home Depot? I don't want to pay $10-15 for a new pump. Although, If I
have to pay more than $5 for a new rubber thing than I might as well
get a better pump.

Here are some pictures of that rubber thing -http://geocities.com/littleboyblu87/pump.html


It may be dried out. Try putting some Vaseline on it. I doubt you'll
find a replacement in a hardware store; try a bike shop.

Art Harris

"Mike S." wrote:clip) It appears that the rubber thing inside needs to be
replaced. Is that thing
called a rubber grommet?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It looks to me like *leather,* which is the traditional material for this
purpose. Art's suggestion of using Vaseline to make it seal sounds
plausible. Leather responds well to neatfoot oil or saddle soap, but even
motor oil might help. This leather cup acts as a piston/check valve. It's
doing the right thing on the up-stroke, allowing air to flow past it, but it
is failing to expand/seal against the barrel on the downstroke.

If you can't restore it with oil or light grease, you could make one out of
an old workshoe.

On Wed, 07 Nov 2007 22:48:27 -0800, "Mike S."
wrote:

I have a 15+ y/o bicycle pump that's not working anymore. It appears
that the rubber thing inside needs to be replaced. Is that thing
called a rubber grommet? And can I get one at hardware store such as
Home Depot? I don't want to pay $10-15 for a new pump. Although, If I
have to pay more than $5 for a new rubber thing than I might as well
get a better pump.

Here are some pictures of that rubber thing - http://geocities.com/littleboyblu87/pump.html

If it's a Silca pump, or one of its clones, you can buy a new leather
washer either at a good LBS or online. They're about $3.00.

Try greasing it as Art Harris suggested. Leather should come back to
life.

You could fabricate one by soaking a disk of thick leather and
forming it in the right size bottle cap with a stack of metal washers
clamped inside.
--
zk

On Nov 8, 11:03 am, "Leo Lichtman"
wrote:
"Mike S." wrote:clip) It appears that the rubber thing inside needs to be

replaced. Is that thing called a rubber grommet?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It looks to me like *leather,* which is the traditional material for this
purpose. Art's suggestion of using Vaseline to make it seal sounds
plausible. Leather responds well to neatfoot oil or saddle soap, but even
motor oil might help. This leather cup acts as a piston/check valve. It's
doing the right thing on the up-stroke, allowing air to flow past it, but it
is failing to expand/seal against the barrel on the downstroke.

If you can't restore it with oil or light grease, you could make one out of
an old workshoe.

*If* you can fit an old workshoe down the barrel of the pump! ;-)

"Ozark Bicycle" wrote: *If* you can fit an old workshoe down the barrel of
the pump! ;-)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
They come in different sizes, you know. ;-))

"Zoot Katz" wrote: (clip)You could fabricate one by soaking a disk of
thick leather and
forming it in the right size bottle cap with a stack of metal washers
clamped inside.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I think it's good to boil it before pressing it into shape with your mold.
You could also try putting some kind of a disk inside the leather cup to
spread it slightly.

On Fri, 09 Nov 2007 02:03:48 GMT, "Leo Lichtman"
wrote:


"Zoot Katz" wrote: (clip)You could fabricate one by soaking a disk of
thick leather and
forming it in the right size bottle cap with a stack of metal washers
clamped inside.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I think it's good to boil it before pressing it into shape with your mold.
You could also try putting some kind of a disk inside the leather cup to
spread it slightly.

Yes, boiling would thoroughly soak it.

The stack of metal washers forms the inside of the leather cup inside
the bottle cap. Alternatively one could use another bottle cap or
chunk of rod. They too would have to be the right size.

After it's dried, the leather will naturally spring back somewhat
when lubricated.

I think the angle on the cut edge of the disk is an important detail.
--
zk

"Mike S." wrote in message
ups.com...
I have a 15+ y/o bicycle pump that's not working anymore. It appears
that the rubber thing inside needs to be replaced. Is that thing
called a rubber grommet? And can I get one at hardware store such as
Home Depot? I don't want to pay $10-15 for a new pump. Although, If I
have to pay more than $5 for a new rubber thing than I might as well
get a better pump.

Here are some pictures of that rubber thing -
http://geocities.com/littleboyblu87/pump.html

I believe it's either an old Schwinn or Medai floor pump. Try a shop that's
been around for quite some time and they might have one in stock. If the
pump's seen a lot of use, there might be other issues with it as well, but
if all it needs is a new leather washer, you might still be able to find
one.

The other suggestions of lubricating the leather piece often work quite
well. Sometimes all you need is a light oil to freshen things back up so
they work again. You're going to need to knead the oil into the leather by
rolling it around in your fingers a bit.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com