I've got an old Robin Hood (circa 1970s) bicycle that I want to use as a grocery-getter.

For now, I'm repacking the bearings. Wheels, no problem. But I can't get to the bottom bracket without removing the cranks.

These are cottered cranks -- NERVAR, I believe, or something like that. Cotter has a bolt on one side. I took off the bolt, and banged a few times with a hammer to try to knock it out.

But ... if I bang any more, the threads will be ruined. Before I go that far, I wanted to get some advice.

Is this the right way to do this?

Can I get a replacement cotter "bolt"? If not, I might just ride with the 40-year-old grease and hope for the best.

Any help with this is greatly appreciated.

If I like this frame once I get it going, I may get some baskets or panniers for it. I might even take off the Huret derailleurs and go with a single up front and an internal out back.

First, though, I have to figure out how to grease the bearings!