Classic & Vintage - Raleigh crank cotter pins

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This is my Raleigh Grand Prix. I know it's pre-'77 because the crank arms are attached with cotter pins. The crank arms come loose every few days, after being tightened. I was told by the local shop that this is probably caused by the cotter pins being notched from wear. Is there anything I can do to prevent them from loosening? Or is there somewhere that I can buy replacement pins?

You can get new pins at: http://catalog.bicycleblowout.com/site/intro.cfm?PageID=37&Category=1181, however, I really hate those things. The cranks are heavy and always a pain to deal with. They are either hard to put on, or hard to take off or both. If you can do it and don't really desire a restoration job, get rid of them. Phil Wood has a way, and so does Harris: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/bottombrackets.html#raleigh. I symphatize with your plight.

That's a beautiful bike. What a great color! Loosescrews.com used to have a good selection of new cotter pins, and Sheldon Brown's website has a good article on installing and tightening them without damaging anything. If you can't find any, let me know - I've got quite a few laying around - I'll send you a couple.

Thanks. I think I'd like to stick with the original crank. As far as I can tell everything is original, and right now I'm just riding it a few times a week. It still has the nuts with a white R on a red circle on the cotter pins.

Cotter pins are a real pain in the butt. If you decide to replace them, then save your old pin so you can get an exact replacement.

I suggest you keep your eyes open for a 1980's vintage World Sport with cotterless cranks. The cranks, bearings, cups, spindle, and everything on the Schwinn can replace the Raleigh bottom bracket.

If you want to keep the bike original, save the parts and change it back when you want to sell the Raleigh.

The pins come in several angles which is why you should follow Mikes advice. Any older shop should have them in stock. You won't get them with the R though.

Go to <www.loosescrews.com>, type cotter pins in the search engine, view cotter pins. Sorry, first measure your cotter pins with a millimeter micrometer. Purchase the cotter pins that are the correct size. Go to Barnett's chap. 21(See Bicycle Mechanics Forum). Read directions on how to install cotter pins. Install.

Sheldon Brown has replacement cotter pins for Raleigh bikes at Harris Cyclery. Good luck.