Request: How to replace a cottered crankset.
Status: We need more parts and/or tools before I can produce this tutorial. Any bike shop or company who is willing to donate parts/tools for this tutorial will receive credit. Contact me if you are interested.
7 Requests for this tutorial:
Feel free to add to this request...
and oh, if you have a maintenance/repair question, please ask in the forums!
Do you plan on doing one for cottered cranks as found on vintage English 3 speeds?
Cottered cranks removal (old style bike) It seems a quite difficult operation especially if you would like to preserve the old cotter.
Where is the chapter on [old] cottered crank arms? Park Tool no longer sells their CR-2, and I’m still loathe to use a hammer. Also, where can on get replacement cotter pins for crank arms?
It’s actually not that hard at all. I had a loose one so I bought a replacement at my Local Bike Shop. I hammered away at it with a screwdriver to knock it out. It eventually came out (I wrecked the screwdriver in the process but I think it’s only because it was loose to begin with so it wasn’t aligned right). No damage to the bike and it’s been running perfectly for months after. I also took out the other one to remove a gear and that one I was able to use the same cotter pin.
for Hjalmar… I saw some on ebay. I was looking to get a better crankset to step up from the panasonic original… with no luck. but yeah, ebay.
This task is missing from your series. I have done this task many times successfully.
COTTERED CHAINSET OVERHAUL:
Soak the pins in penetrating oil; overnight if poss. Remove nuts & washers labeling them for return to original positions.
Extract the pins using the Bike Smith cotter pin press; labeling them return to original positions. Graphite grease the press screw thread each time prior to use.
Damaged pins will need replacement; new ones filed to match originals. Minor damage can be filed to repair.
Chamfer crank arm holes with a countersink tool and clean them out with a rod wrapped in abrasive paper; chamfer holes for axle as well.
Disassemble bottom bracket and clean components. Fixed cup spanner can be held in place with a front wheel axle, plates with holes, and track nuts to aid removal. Replace bearings if needed. Clean out bottom bracket and cup threads using a brass brush.
Pack grease bearings into cups. Coat threads with copper anti-seize compound. Re-assemble and adjust; no binding with no wiggle.
Refit cranks & pins into original positions ,using the press,after spraying with WD40. Wipe pin threads dry and apply thread lock; re-fit nuts & washers into original positions and tighten to correct torque.
Check all component fitting after cycling a few kms.
Regards
Ian
I would also like to request this tutorial. Thank you.
I’d also like to request this tutorial