So uhh, I have this 72-ish UO8 that I've been slowing stripping down over the past few weeks. I work on it when I'm waiting for parts for my other bikes or when I have some time away from working on my house. I've had it stripped down to a frame for a bit.

A few weeks ago it was time to get the cotter pins out. I started by spraying them with PB blaster and letting them sit. I did this over several days.

On day three or so I tried the clamp method. That was a no go.

Then on day 5 or so I tried Sheldon’s method. I put a socket on the non threaded end, put that on a wood block for stability, then wacked it with a big old hammer.

BASH!!

smashed cotter on the threaded side, but it didnt budge.

I hit it with some more PB blaster over the next few days then came back to it. I had to manipulate the BASHED!! and deformed cotter enough that I could hit it again without just hitting the crank. Once that was done, I set it up again with the socket and the wood. This time I used a punch and a bigger hammer.

BASH!!

nothing. It made a little dimple in the deformed looking cotter. Nice.

I stepped away from it again before I got too annoyed with it. This is why I have numerous projects, so if I get too annoyed at one, there is always something else I can work on that might actually conform to my will in some way.

Last night I went into the basement to do laundry. I noticed the UO8 sitting there on the floor , with its crank arms, mocking me.

It'd been over a week and those crank arms were still on there. Screw that, I can't let it win. I'm going to get those things off.

Wood block, large socket, punch, hammer BASH!!

Nothing.

Same thing on the other side.

Nothing.

OK. Now I'm really going to get serious.

Out to the garage, put the frame in my big old vise (wrapped in a rubber glove first and not to tight so as to not damage the frame), and got the drill out.

First I drilled a small hole all the way through one of the cotters. Well, actually first I broke a drill bit trying to drill the cotter.

Then I drilled a hole.

Nothing budged so I hit it with the punch again.

Nothing.

I drilled a bigger hole. It looked like the entire cotter was drilled completely away. Surely it must come out now.

No. Wouldnt budge.

I tried to move the crank arm with a pickle fork I have sitting around.

Wouldnt budge.

I tried all of these things on the other crank arm.

All to the same results.

OK. I'm not pissed. Really.

But those crank arms, really, they should stop mocking me. That's insulting.

That's it. I'm not playing anymore.

Out comes the following:

-Grinder with cutoff wheel attachment
-wielding face shield
-gloves.

I cut the spindle. Twice. Those mother effing crank arms fell to the floor, still hanging onto the piece of spindle and what was left of those cotter pins.

In the end, they still mock me, only from the floor of the garage instead of attached to the UO8. There really were no winners here today.

So,uhh, does anyone have any information on converting a UO8 to cotterless?