Funny Noise And James example essay topic

Any place I go, I know I will never find two skateboards that are the same. Each and every component of the skateboard makes a difference in the board's movement. Every deck, truck, and wheel is interchangeable so there is almost an endless amount of combinations. A number of things can go wrong when riding; a person will never know when one of the components will malfunction. I was riding along one day, and like a cat pouncing on a mouse, it hits me and I suddenly realize that I am going to feel some pain. One of my wheels came off, I jerked, flew through the air, then landed on the street, all because the only day I took the time to check my wheels was the day I received the board.

I can remember the first time I learned how to check and fix a skateboard. I learned from one of my good friend named James. He came to my house and we skated around for a little while. One of my wheels made a funny noise, and James said, 'I think there is something wrong with your skateboard. ' We went into the garage and sat next to the washer and dryer. He then put the skateboard downside up, and started to examine the skateboard.

He first looked at the deck to see if there was something wrong that could be making the noise. James studied the grip tape, looked at the tail and the nose, then the wood itself to see if it had been cracked or split. He then began talking to me about the trucks and their purpose; I studied and observed the hunks of metal. James then began to study the bearings and noticed that the bearings were extremely dirty. This was the cause of the noise.

He told me that the bearings had to be clean. Too much friction was causing the noise. So James reached in his bag of tools, and got his mini monkey wrench and started to take off the nut that was holding the wheel to the truck. He was very precise, like a surgeon in heart surgery.

With great ease he slipped off the wheel from the kingpin and placed it gentle on the floor. Once again James reached in his bag, grabbed a rag, and a special metal lubricate called Speedy Grease. Pop went the bearing as it came out of the wheel, I picked it up from the floor, pondered, and said, ' h m, to think that this little piece of machinery can actually effect the way the board operates, that this little piece is so important wow', it blew my mind. I gave it to him and he said, ' this little piece right here can decide on whether you ride with ease, or if you end up smacked on the asphalt, with your arm scrapped like if it was against a cheese grater'. James whipped out a flat head screw driver from his bag and popped of the shield; were low and behold was eight ball bearing and he said ' look there's your problem right here your bearings are all gun ked up. James rapped the rag over the bearing, and began to wipe out the majority of the filth.

Placed about four or five massive drops of speedy grease, looked at it and shook his head and said 'much better', and said 'all right'. He then popped the shield back in its position, took off the other three wheels, and repeated the process. After that James slipped the wheels back on, tightened the nuts back, and I smiled and said 'cool', he then gave all four wheels one final quick rub down, to get all the excess grease off. He smiled and 'here you go, good as new'. He handed to me and said 'rotate them, or just ride on for a while. I choose to ride.

It rode smoother than any board I have ever ridden. To this day, I will never forget how to clean and replace a dirty bearing. It is a skill I have learned and that I can pass on to anyone. If James did not tell about the noise, who knows what would happen to me if I would have jumped off a ramp that night. That is why to this day before I get skateboard, I always check everything, to insure my safety. Ignorance kills.