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messages for: English Roadster Discussions


ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Update on broken cotter posted by: Kevin J on 7/24/2010 at 3:18:52 PM
Well gents, (and the occasional lady who graces us with her presence!)it wasn't easy. Everyone's suggestions helped: the hammer and pipe, the drilling with various bits and oil ( I broke two bits), the propane torch heating, slamming the pedal hard in each direction. The press also sounds like a great idea for future reference, the distant future, I hope! It finally came off/out. Some of the soft metal cotter is still in the crank.
Before starting on this adventure, I tried taking off the replacement cotter from my spare Colt and it came right out, giving me what turned out to be false hope to continue the operation on my Sports.
I've decided to also use the crank from my Colt, thinking it might be more compatible. The spindle is fine, but I'll save the filing out of the rest of the cotter from the old crank for some Winter's day. It's too hot for English bicycles and for me.
I still wonder if the squeak/slight movement in the right crank had to do with a cotter pin. Keith mentions that the cotter problem should be noticeable on the left. A couple weeks prior, I had a bent pedal on this very crank (I replaced with a pedal from the Colt) and I noticed it had become slightly unscrewed. I'll never know.
I'll see if the new set-up loosens and if it will take a little gentle hammering (that metal(steel)is soft!) and tightening, as per Sheldon Brown.
I'll try to post a couple of pictures. The blue Colt in the back (19" female frame, nice paint, but not good for me to ride), the green '67 Sports in question, and my other brown rusty Sports. The astute observers will notice the non-original crank now on the "67. I probably have all the original stuff for the '67: saddle, pump, generator for museum purposes. In the mean time, I've adapted things economically and for daily use. I think I need to have two running for dependable transportation. I enjoy riding these bikes more than fixing them, though I enjoy the occasional challenge.
I've never worked on a 3-speed hub, rarely worked with ball bearings. This was the toughest job and it may not be over. Thanks to all for your help!


by: 24.185.84.239


  Replies:
          RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Update on broken cotterposted by Kevin J. on 7/25/2010 at 5:06:36 AM
Sorry, wrong link. I'm an amateur. Hopefully it works now. The pictures aren't that good anyway. [p][a href=http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=1795724026/a=3418336026_3418336026/otsc=SHR target=_blank][img src=the_camera.jpg][/a]
by: 24.185.84.239

          RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Update on broken cotterposted by Steve on 7/25/2010 at 4:28:02 PM
Kevin, if you keep scratching around with a decent quality curved miniature file, the wafer like remains of the cotter pin will/should eventually just drop out all of a sudden.
At this point you can frame it, and put it on display in your bathroom !
As for hubs, I've spent many hours today working on a KT6 (three speed hub), solved the original problem....then ended up with two more !
They're lovely to look at, but can drive you mad at times.
Steve
by: 93.96.36.127

          RE:RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Update on broken cotterposted by Larry "Boneman" Bone on 7/26/2010 at 2:03:54 AM
A bit off-topic... but Steve... you reminded me (with the framing and hanging in the bathroom comment) of my very first car. My 1963 Plymouth Valiant.... I still have part of it.... the fractured timing gear (crankshaft) and a goodly chunk of the telephone pole that I took out falling asleep at the wheel.

Lovingly encased in epoxy.... to be preserved in all eternity....

Kevin... GO for it. As this has been for all of us (especially you!) quite the memorable event!

Cheers!

Larry "Boneman" Bone - cast in stone? Not quite....
by: 4.248.91.7

          RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS:   Update on broken cotterposted by Kevin J. on 7/26/2010 at 8:06:41 AM
Yes. Up on the shelf these stubborn parts go, so I can admire them. I think I can find something in my tools from my '69 Plymouth Valiant to put up there too, that has somehow moved around with me. I much prefer the '63 and '69 bicycles. Either we're opening things, taking apart and running into problems, or we can't the one stubborn piece off.
Regards, Kevin
by: 24.185.84.239

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