I can't remember exactly how old we were, but seems like we were around 8 and 9. We being my older brother and I. For those of you that don't know him. My old brother is Earl Leroy Ryan, Jr., usually known as JR. We both loved to ride bicycles, and our Dad had taught us to maintain our bikes. Sometimes kids like to improvise a little, so our maintenance techniques varied a little from Dad's tried and true methods.
Dad taught us to lubricate the chain. We found that we would flip the bicycle upside down, and get the job done in half the time. We would turn the bike so that the seat and handle bars supported the bike. With the wheels in the air, we could spin the pedals while dripping oil onto the chain. Great idea, right?
Maybe a great idea, but I don't believe OSHA would approve. With the bike inverted, more of the chain is exposed and the operator has much better access to the sprockets. A little too much access, as JR soon discovered. I can't remember who was cranking the pedals, and it may have been me. I don't think that part matters. What does matter is that JR took advantage of the easy access and ran his index finger through the sprocket. I was amazed to find out that at well tightened and lubricated chain will cut off a kid's finger. Needless to say, JR was a little shocked as well. He jumped up and ran to the house with the severed finger.
I also found that Mario Andretti would have a difficult time keeping pace with my Mom on the back-roads of Nowata County. Mom packed the tip of JR's finger in ice, made the trip to the emergency room and made it in time for the ER doc to reattach the missing tip. JR still bears the scar, but he can still do anything that requires an index finger. For some crazy reason, he still won't let me crank the pedals while he oils the chain.
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