Cheap Short Wheelbase Wood Conversion Recumbent Bike

Step 3 Harvesting

You'll need:
1 piece crank and BB cups. You'll find these on most cheap American bikes.
Hanger mount derailleur (likely found on a bike with a 1 piece crank)
Chain How to Use a Chain Tool

Disassembling a 1 piece Crank
1. Remove the left pedal (left being the side without the chain rings - clockwise to unscrew)
2. Unscrew Nut on BB (the big one)
3. Remove keyed washer - it must be pulled straight out
4. Unscrew cone bearing race - note the two radial notches. Insert a screw driver and tap the retainer in a clockwise direction to unscrew.
5. Remove bearing retainer (use a screw driver to retrieve it if necessary - it will be greasy)
6. Pull the crank out (slightly) from the right side.
7. Pull right side bearing retainer out of bearing cup (to prevent damage)
8. Pull rotate crank downward so the chain rings go under the BB
9. Remove crank

Removing Cups
Take your screw driver and place it behind the cup, inside the BB (so to remove the right side, place the screw driver through the left side). Tap with a hammer - moving the screwdriver to different portions of the cup (top/bottom works well). The cup should wiggle and pop out.

Repeat for other side.

Rusty Chains
So you have a donor chain that's rusty - perhaps even really stiff? No problem :)

First - break the chain with your chain tool. Pre-soaking the link you'll be breaking with a little penetrating oil is a good idea. The link should also be able to move (even only slightly). Once you've got your chain, take it to the sink and wash any surface rust with soapy water and a scrubby. While washing, work the chain loose if excessive rust has seized the chain. when done, apply a light oil to protect from additional rust. You're not going to get all the rust off - but you'll have a free chain that works ;)

While using rusty chain isn't as reliable as new chain, it's free. I ride on once rusty seized chain - and have only had 1 chain break on me due to sub par chain assembly (I was excited and rushed and said it was "good enough"). But, if you want to go for "new" chain, you'll probably need about 3.5 of them (cheap chain will run you about $25-$35).