Removing vintage pedals

[MattDB]

Hi,
What seems like a simple job..... I usually start off by googling how-to's and looking on youtube but I couldn't work out how to get these screws out to take my pedals off (trying to get at the BB) then I wondered are they actually missing the bolts from the other side - I've been riding it around for a week and they seem solid.

Should these just pull out - and if so, assuming I should go out and buy some bolts for the other side?

Matt

 

[Profpointy]

do you mean "pedals" or the cranks? You'll need to get the cranks off to get at bottom bracket. Depending on the model, you'll need a (model-specific) puller to remove the cranks.

Pedals simply unscrew, but one of them unscrews the wrong way so to speak

 

[MattDB]

arrr - not sure if those pics worked!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8gxbqgc09p3ozi8/20140712_115549.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/itf38icijz4s9xj/20140712_115539.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/b393ql9404js5jl/20140712_115610.jpg

 

[MattDB]

Thanks - Sorry yes I do mean cranks - its the screw (pins?) in the cranks that I can't work out they are threaded but there's no bolts so wondering if they should just pull out.

 

[Profpointy]

Thanks - Sorry yes I do mean cranks - its the screw (pins?) in the cranks that I can't work out they are threaded but there's no bolts so wondering if they should just pull out.

Are the "screws" going directly into the bottom bracket - most likely for anything vaguely modern?
Or are they perpendicular to the bottom brackets - "cotter pins" - older / cheaper models? (less likely)

For the former there's usually a dust cover to be removed giving access to the actual bolt (or whatever) - get the cover off first.
This will (probably) reveal an internal thread ** in the crank itself - and also a bolt or screw (depending on model) which attaches the crank proper to the bottom bracket. There are many and various designs for this - in some the BB axle is part of the crank - eg Shimano hollowtech, but for traditional square taper - well the crank funnily enough attaches to a square taper on BB.

** this is then used to attach your "crank remover" which then pulls the cranks off. Details will depend on the exact model - I strongly recommend you do use the special tool though

Hopefully the above will be some guide to googling the details for your exact type of crank.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

You have cottered cranks. The cotter pins need to be tapped out with a hammer after you've removed the nuts. If you intend to reuse the pins loosen the nuts so they are proud of the thread and that way you won't damage the thread as you hit it and support the crank on a block of wood so you don't damage the frame threads. Once the pins are out the cranks will just slide off the axle.

If you have any sense you'll then fling the whole lot as far as they'll go and fit a cotterless system. Horrible crude old things that have no place on any bike.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Don't have much to add to what @Smokin Joe has to say. You might want to use some penetrating oil in the (probably vain) hope that they'll come out easily.

Here's what St Sheldon has to say on the matter: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cotters.html

 

[byegad]

You have cottered cranks. The cotter pins need to be tapped out with a hammer after you've removed the nuts. If you intend to reuse the pins loosen the nuts so they are proud of the thread and that way you won't damage the thread as you hit it and support the crank on a block of wood so you don't damage the frame threads. Once the pins are out the cranks will just slide off the axle.

If you have any sense you'll then fling the whole lot as far as they'll go and fit a cotterless system. Horrible crude old things that have no place on any bike.

You need the magic incantation as you do this. As it's not work safe and likely to frighten the horses PM me for the exact words.

 

[MattDB]

Thanks so much everyone - yes I will try to get these out. Would like to change over to a cotterless system but would like to find some nice retro looking cranks and pedals. Think it's likely to also be old style BB which I'd like to change over.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Thanks so much everyone - yes I will try to get these out. Would like to change over to a cotterless system but would like to find some nice retro looking cranks and pedals. Think it's likely to also be old style BB which I'd like to change over.

Assuming that your frame does't have a weird thread, installing a modern sealed BB should be entirely doable. The only challenge will be removing the fixed cup (Sheldon discusses this here) and you can install a modern square-taper BB and install a new cotterless crankset. You just need to make sure you get he appropriate length BB.

An alternative would be leaving the fixed cup in place, servicing the BB and replacing the cottered axle with a square taper axle. If you can get hold of one.

As to getting a "retro looking" chainset ... maybe @biggs682 has some ideas?

 

[biggs682]

Thanks - Sorry yes I do mean cranks - its the screw (pins?) in the cranks that I can't work out they are threaded but there's no bolts so wondering if they should just pull out.

have fun , give them a good soaking in a good penetrating oil , and when you are in a cool sense of mind get a decent steel punch and hammer once nut slackened off go for it , be warned they can be a pain in the ........

as for retro chainsets they can go for silly money , keep an eye out for the "Raliegh" branded ones from some of the early 80's racers they can clean up nicely it all depends how exotic you want

oh and have fun

 

[MattDB]

Arrrr you aren't wrong I'm ready to cry and throw the bike in the nearest skip - not only has the bottom of the cotterpin mushroomed out but it has bent over at an angle and just doesn't seem to be moving. There weren't any nuts on it to start with so I'm assuming the previous owner gave up halfway through the job.

I've watched several youtube videos but I've tried everything. Any more thoughts?

 

[Profpointy]

well if you're replacing the bottom bracket anyhow, you could just grind the cranks off, and replace the lot

 

[MattDB]

Angle grind? Not got tools for that but could get one - what process would this involve?

 

[MattDB]

And if I got new cranks and BB would I keep the chain ring or need a new one of those too?