Reuse cotter pins for rear tire bolt nuts

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flw · #1 Unread post by **flw** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:08 am

I live in a rural area and the dealer is a long ride.

My chain needs to be tightened and I don't have any new cotter pins to use (holds the nuts in place for the rear tire).

Is it safe to reuse the cotter pins rather than wait on a chain that is too loose? I don't have any damage from the loose chain but don't want to push it either.

ofblong · #2 Unread post by **ofblong** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:26 am

I reuse cotter pins on everything enless they feel weak. Its Roll pins that I refuse to use again.

Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:44 am

Im guilty of reusing cotter pins on my stuff. But you could probably go to the hardware store and find them if there is one closer then the dealer. In the shop reusing cotter pins was a BIG no no.

#4 Unread post by **Skier** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:37 am

Auto parts stores will carry cotter pins, as well hardware stores. They're so cheap it's fine to replace them every time.

That said I, too, have been guilty of reusing cotter pins, but only one reuse per pin.

Gadjet · #5 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:01 pm

I never reuse my cotter pins. I bought a bulk pack at one of my local liquidation places for only a couple bucks. I always carry several spares on the bike in case I need to do some chain adjusting on the road. (or to help out someone who needs one)

HYPERR · #6 Unread post by **HYPERR** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:43 pm

Ditto on pretty much what everyone said. I have re-used cotter pins in a pinch. However they are so cheap, there really is no excuse or reason to re-use them. And like everyone said, no need to go to the dealer, just buy them in bulk from a hardware store.

Johnj · #7 Unread post by **Johnj** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:42 am

I bought a lot of hitch pin clips and use them to replace cotter pins.

flw · #8 Unread post by **flw** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:54 am

Johnj wrote:I bought a lot of hitch pin clips and use them to replace cotter pins.

Does that seem reliable ?

ofblong · #9 Unread post by **ofblong** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:38 pm

flw wrote:
Johnj wrote:I bought a lot of hitch pin clips and use them to replace cotter pins.
Does that seem reliable ?

problem with hitch pins is they have a great risk of actually coming apart. I have never seen a hitch pin that stayed snapped for very long under vibration.

#10 Unread post by **Skier** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:50 pm

ofblong wrote:
flw wrote:
Johnj wrote:I bought a lot of hitch pin clips and use them to replace cotter pins.
Does that seem reliable ?
problem with hitch pins is they have a great risk of actually coming apart. I have never seen a hitch pin that stayed snapped for very long under vibration.

Really? All the hitch pins I've seen looked and felt very robust. Then again I haven't held one that's small enough to replace a motorcycle axle cotter pin.