Cotter pin

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • malber
    XSive Maximus
    • Sep 2006
    • 568
    • Belmont, NH

    #1

    Cotter pin

    This probably sounds like a stupid question, but what is size of this? I'm talking about the rear cotter pin. I got all the way to VIP without realizing that they come in different sizes.
    1981 XS1100SH
  • motoman
    Master of XSology
    • Aug 2005
    • 8413
    • Grand Junction, Colorado

    #2
    If your talking bout the cotter key used on the rear axle nut..............use what fits, not a critical thing.
    81H Venturer1100 "The Bentley" (on steroids) 97 Yamaha YZ250(age reducer) 92 Honda ST1100 "Twisty"(touring rocket) Age is relative to the number of seconds counted 'airing' out an 85ft. table-top.

    Comment

    • John
      XS-XJ Super Guru
      • Oct 2003
      • 5117

      #3
      A 13/16 x 2 would be good, and you can just cut it to length when you bend it over.

      Comment

      • red bandit
        XSive Maximus
        • May 2005
        • 950
        • central michigan

        #4
        Originally posted by John
        A 13/16 x 2
        WOW That's one heck of a cotter pin. I take it you mean 3/16 X 2. I think I have 1/8 in mine. But like moto says...use what fits.
        79 F full cruiser, stainless brake lines, spade fuses, Accel coils, modded air box w/larger velocity stacks, 750 FD.
        79 SF parts bike.

        Comment

        • prometheus578
          XS-XJ Super Guru (RESIGNED)
          • Aug 2004
          • 4012
          • Olympia , Wa.

          #5
          "Welcome back Cotter-pin."

          It's nice and aesthetically pleasing if the pin fits tight and doesn't wiggle around. Most bikes doen't even use pins... relying instead on the friction of the nut and washer from allowing the nut to back off.
          Like the others have mentioned, as long as there's something in the hole to stop the nut from loosening, you're OK.
          "Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor, not a mechanic!' ('Bones' McCoy)

          Comment

          • HobbyMan
            MeatHead Idiot "GURU"
            • Jul 2006
            • 1801
            • Colleyville, TX

            #6
            Just think what could possibly happen if the nut came off. That is why cars use them on the spindle holding the drum/disc on. As long as it fits and won't come off, it will work. I normally get the long ones so that I can use them on other things too. Just cut them to length. I must admit though, I have caught myself reusing them once or twice.
            United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY
            If I can do it at 18 yrs old, anyone can
            "You know something, You can't polish a turd"
            "What are you rebelling against", "Well, what do you got?"
            Acta Non Verba

            Comment

            • 80mdnt11
              XStremely XSive
              • Mar 2006
              • 221
              • S.E. IL./ Olney

              #7
              Ahhhhhhh, The Good 'Ol Cotter Pin

              Oh Yea, Cotter pin, saftey pin or saftey wire. Was racing indoor flat track on bikes in Ohio some many years ago.....
              Was lining up for second heat, trying to find the sweet hole shot spot. Guy next to me bumps my arm & points at my front axle with the nut laying on the track! ( Yea I had swaped front wheels in between heats, better bite on the GoodYear) Pit hand came with wrench & cotter pin in hand! That could have been BAD!
              Since then, racing, dayly ride or cage....... if it is criticle....cotter pin, saftey pin, saftey wire or lock-tite even if it doesn't need it!
              "Elvira"
              '80 XS1100LG

              Comment

              • skids
                XS-XJ Super Guru
                • Jul 2002
                • 5046
                • Florissant, CO, USA

                #8
                Re: Ahhhhhhh, The Good 'Ol Cotter Pin

                Yeah, but you have to remember to do it!

                Originally posted by 80mdnt11

                Since then, racing, dayly ride or cage....... if it is criticle....cotter pin, saftey pin, saftey wire or lock-tite even if it doesn't need it!
                Skids (Sid Hansen)

                Down to one 1978 E. Stock air box with K&N filter, 81H pipes and carbs, 8500 feet elevation.

                Comment

                • 80mdnt11
                  XStremely XSive
                  • Mar 2006
                  • 221
                  • S.E. IL./ Olney

                  #9
                  Touche! Was in a hurry then, have slowed down a-bit since then...........and alot more meticulous.
                  "Elvira"
                  '80 XS1100LG

                  Comment

                  • TADracer
                    XS-XJ Guru
                    • May 2006
                    • 1417
                    • Kenner, Louisiana USA

                    #10
                    Safety Note ??

                    As tempting as it might be, if you do not have a cotter pin, do not use a finishing nail in its place. I am not sure why but I have been told this is not very safe practice.
                    Mike Giroir
                    79 XS-1100 Special

                    Once you un-can a can of worms, the only way to re-can them is with a bigger can.

                    Comment

                    • Ken Talbot
                      XS-XJ Super Guru
                      • Jun 2002
                      • 4251
                      • Revelstoke, BC

                      #11
                      Waste of a perfectly good finishing nail?
                      Ken Talbot

                      Comment

                      • TopCatGr58
                        Administrator
                        • Jul 2002
                        • 12650
                        • Portsmouth, Va.

                        #12
                        A finishing touch!

                        Only if the finishing nail isn't the right diameter, too small which might allow the castle nut to spin past it? Also, the heads are not very large on finishing nails, again, it might slip thru and out?

                        I would think a common nail with larger head would be a better quick temp fix, but unless galvanized, would also rust soon!
                        T.C.
                        T. C. Gresham
                        81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
                        79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
                        History shows again and again,
                        How nature points out the folly of men!

                        Comment

                        • Incubus
                          XS-XJ Guru
                          • Aug 2006
                          • 1003
                          • Austin TX

                          #13
                          I use a carriage pin. You can reuse them....

                          Patrick
                          The glorious rays of the rising sun exist only to create shadows in which doom may hide.

                          XS11F (Incubus, daily rider)
                          1969 Yamaha DT1B
                          Five other bikes whose names do not begin with "Y"

                          Comment

                          • TADracer
                            XS-XJ Guru
                            • May 2006
                            • 1417
                            • Kenner, Louisiana USA

                            #14
                            OK, I'm stupid but us New Orleans boys are still alittle goofy after Katrina. What is a carriage pin??

                            Succubus, I'll probably know what it is when you tell me but then we have funny names for things down here.

                            Median is a neutral ground, sidewalk is a banket, balcony is a veranda, French bread is...well, French bread..
                            Mike Giroir
                            79 XS-1100 Special

                            Once you un-can a can of worms, the only way to re-can them is with a bigger can.

                            Comment

                            • malber
                              XSive Maximus
                              • Sep 2006
                              • 568
                              • Belmont, NH

                              #15
                              Hrm, haven't heard those terms, but isn't French bread called a baguette?
                              1981 XS1100SH

                              Comment

                              Working...