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Lightning Bicycle P-38 Assembly And Operation Manual

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This manual contains information on how to properly
adjust and operate your Lightning bicycle for maximum
comfort, safety, and performance.
The recumbent position and seat require alternate
adjustment methods. The unconventional design and
closeness of the front wheel to your feet require that new
riding skills must be acquired.
Carefully follow the instructions, and after a short period
of time, you will have the new habits needed to ride your
Lightning successfully.
INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS

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Summary of Contents for Lightning Bicycle P-38

  • Page 1: Table Of Contents

    INTRODUCTION This manual contains information on how to properly adjust and operate your Lightning bicycle for maximum comfort, safety, and performance. The recumbent position and seat require alternate adjustment methods. The unconventional design and closeness of the front wheel to your feet require that new riding skills must be acquired.

  • Page 2: The P-38 Assembly

    1.0 THE P-38 ASSEMBLY 1.1 COMPLETE BIKE ASSEMBLY: A) Remove all items from the box and unwrap. Be careful to support the handle bars so that the cables are not kinked B) Install the stem riser onto fork. C) Install the rear derailleur. Install the wheels I the dropouts, and check the tire pressure.
  • Page 6 1.2 FRAME SET INFORMATION A) Bend the brake levers down as shown. The best way is to hold the upper part of the lever in the vise, heat the bent area with a propane torch, and hit the end with a rubber mallet. Remember, the right and left sides are opposite ( See Fig.
  • Page 8 Fig. 1-7 Fig. 1-8a...

  • Page 9: Adjustments Before Riding

    2.0 ADJUSTMENTS BEFORE RIDING 2.1 CRANK ADJUSTMENTS: On Lightning Bicycles, The cranks are moved to accommodate differences in leg length. Adjust the cranks as follows: A) Loosen the two Allen head bolts under the crank tube with a 5mm Allen wrench. B) Slide the cranks in or out until your legs are slightly bent at their furthest extension (see Fig.2-1).

  • Page 10: Chain Adjustment

    2.3 CHAIN ADJUSTMENT: After adjusting the cranks, check and adjust the chain length. The chain length should be long enough to permit shifting onto the large front chain-wheel large rear sprocket combination, and at the same time, not so long it goes slack when shifted onto small chain- wheel combinations.

  • Page 12: Riding

    3.0 RIDING Find a straight, level road without much car traffic for learning how to ride. DO NOT attempt any U-turns or other sharp turns until you have mastered slow speed turning, explained in Step 3.3. Keep your speed at 10-15 mph, as this will prevent your feet from hitting the front wheel and is more stable than slower speeds.
  • Page 13 3.4 HANDLING AND STABILITY: A lightning bicycle has fair stability and responsive steering. It is not necessary to aggressively hold onto the handlebars. A relaxed grip is best for riding in a straight line. One hand on the bars is adequate for relaxed cruising.
  • Page 14 WARNING! DO NOT apply excessive force to the handlebars. There is no reason to pull extremely hard on them, as you will not go any faster. Large forces repeatedly applied to the handlebars may cause the stem to fail. If you want to lift your butt off the seat, do it by pushing down the seat frame with one hand, NOT by pulling on the handlebars! 3.5 BUMPS:...

  • Page 15: Safe Riding

    3.8 MUSCLE CONDITIONING: A) DO NOT immediately ride your bike for long distances as it takes some time for your muscles to become accustomed to the recumbent position. Ride 5-10 miles on the first day, then increase by 5-10 miles per day thereafter. Your quadriceps and rear end muscles may be mildly sore while you are getting used to the bike.

  • Page 16: Accessories

    4.0 ACCESSORIES WATER BOTTLE: Two sets of water bottles braze-ons are standard under the seat. We recommend using heavy duty (6mm) aluminum cages, or the Specialized rib cage. A third water bottle can be mounted on the stem using cable ties. 4.2 REAR RACK: The Lightning rack works best, it is made to attach to the seat stay adjusting bolts.
  • Page 17 A) Slide the fairing mount through the large black plastic loop clamps. (see Fig. 4-1) B) Slide both ends of the forward Support Hoop into the small holes of the fairing mount. C) Secure the small plastic Loop Clamp around the forward support hoop.
  • Page 18 F) If your legs hit the fairing, you should adjust the fairing by pushing forward on the bottom of it. This will bend the mounting tabs to the proper angle.

  • Page 19: Maintenance

    4.8 SUSPENDED FORK INSTALLATION: The lightning suspended fork is designed as a direct replacement for your current P-38 fork. However, there are a couple of things to be wary of. Be sure the brake of fender mounting bolt/nut does not interfere with the lower torque linkage when the fork is compressed.
  • Page 20 SURE THE SEAT MESH IS TIGHT, to prevent the seat mesh from contacting the rear tire while riding. 5.2 THE CHAIN IDLERS: The Chain idlers have sealed bearings and do not normally require maintenance. The Idler under the seat develops a wear pattern to mat the chain after a few thousand miles.
  • Page 21 5.6 SUSPENDED FORK MAINTENANCE: If the suspension begins to stick, the inner mechanism probably needs to be lubricated. Grease can be injected at the grease port using the supplied grease gun. If this does not correct the problem, the mechanism probably needs to be cleaned. Perform the following steps to disassemble and clean the mechanism.
  • Page 23 5.7 FORK O-RING An O-ring is installed between the fork and steerer tube, inside the frame (see fig.5-2). This O-ring slows down the steering response of the bike. If you want quicker steering, remove the O-ring. If you don’t want quicker steering, reinstall the O-ring any time the fork is removed.
  • Page 26 LIGHTNING BICYCLE LIMITED WARRANTY Lightning Cycle Dynamics (Lightning), a California Corporation, makes the following limited warranty concerning Lightning bicycles and framesets: 1) WARRANTEE: This limited warranty is effective ONLY: * To the original purchaser of the bicycle or frameset, thus it is not transferable...

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