With inch pitch, you have a 48 x 16 or a 52 x 16 as translated into typical 1/2" chain. The "24" would not be bad, the "26" puts one just shy of 90", a little steep for around town.

If you gotta remove the cotters, get a hardwood block, cut to length so the crank when horizontal can take the direct load to act as a back up to the ground. drill a hole to accept the cotter, deep enough but just big enough in diameter. Back off the nut enough to make it level with the top of the threaded part of the pin. Kroil the heck out of it. Liquid Wrench will do, just not as good. then tap the cotter squarely with the block taking the load directly. If it don't work let the liquid work overnight. The secret here is having a direct load path to something solid to not let the frame flex, vibrate etc. A cotter pin press will work usually, but at the bike shop long ago, we used wood or a section of bronze pipe to take the load th the solid ground, worked every time.

What I am struggling with, more than the crank cotter, is whether to sell this as-is, cleaned-up, fixed-up or to sell it at all. I have very little time to devote to this as a project and I am not sure I want to leave it sitting around til I do.

If it were mine I would intially try to sell it as is.
Alot of collectors want to see the patina, and also document
with before/after pictures.
I would not fix up this one, clean up being careful as to not
damage any existing decals etc.
If you don't have the time/inclination to take on either a full
restoration I would say pass it on.

Marty

A path racer is an English expression - referred to a single speed, fixed gear bike that was made specifically to ride on the road; thus, it had at least one brake. Often fitted with light brackets as well, if English manufacture. In the 40s the bikie guys would have one bike, usually outfitted for single-speed road training, that they would refit for track events, and later, refit with derailleurs for fair weather riding and racing (although I'm given to understand that racing on the road was illegal in England at that time). They called this bike of all uses a "Path Racer".

Moose, if you are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the restoration (and it is large and probably fairly expensive) the best course is to just move it on. And, probably...eBay is the place you'll get the biggest bang for your buck.

Thanks guys, I guess you have solidified my thoughts. I am just tenative because I know this is a rare find and I hate to part with it.

Well, I finally listed it. Wish me luck.

Where did you list it?

Good question apparently not ebay

I did list it on ebay, curiously it took over four hours to show up with a search. Here's the link

re: express werke
 

Moose: Just asking what happened to the bike. As it happens, I own one (for sentimental reasons) - they are not particularily collectible. I do, however, need parts or at least find out the make of the parts - like the brake,hubs and rims. Let me know if you can help out. Thanx.

You might want to PM him instead of him just happening on this thread.