How to tighten the chain

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by 93CutlassSupreme

Cotter pins should not be reused.

The key word is "should".
If you have a new one, by all means, use it.
If you've been using them for about 60 years, you can pretty much tell if they are good
for another use or not by the look and feel.
Re-using one would be much preferred to having none at all........if that is the choice.

[93CutlassSupreme]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

The key word is "should".
If you have a new one, by all means, use it.
If you've been using them for about 60 years, you can pretty much tell if they are good
for another use or not by the look and feel.
Re-using one would be much preferred to having none at all........if that is the choice.

Considering that a pack is only a couple dollars, and the fact that the tangs are only meant to be bent once, they should be replaced.


But you are right, if you don't have a choice you have to do what you have to do.

[dhgeyer]

I'm a b-a-a-a-a-a-d boy. I've been known to use just about anything at hand, including coat hanger wire. As long as it's thick enough to do its job, and you can bend it so it won't come off.........

Of course it's always best to have the correct part, and new is preferable. I'm just sayin'.

[music man]

I have used a nail for one before, just bent it over, it was actually better than the cotter pin was, guaranteed not to come out :2tup: . I didn't leave it though, because it didn't look very "professional", but it worked until I got a new cotter pin in there.

[Water Warrior 2]

Or you could just buy a self locking nut and throw the cotter pin away. Save spare cotter pins for riders in distress on the road.

[dentheman]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Or you could just buy a self locking nut and throw the cotter pin away. Save spare cotter pins for riders in distress on the road.

My experience with self-locking nuts on aircraft is that they are for one time use, once it has been loosened to make some adjustment it looses some of its locking ability and must be replaced. Is this 'overkill' for a motorcycle?

[Water Warrior 2]

There are actual reuseable nuts for motorcycle axles. Quite a few Vstrom riders use them to get away from cotter pins and the frustration of dealing with them. I have never heard about them being a one time use item from any riders but I will make an inquiry if you would like. I don't use one myself and can't post any personal experience with then. There are some bikes that do not come from the factory with cotter pins. They have a differently designed axle nut.

A little info for you. Dual-Star.com is a supplier of locking axle nuts. You could make an e-mail inquiry for one that might fit a GZ.

2009 and 2010 650 Vstroms do not come with cotter pins from the factory. Different style nut obviously. Also it was mentioned by others that cotter pins are only supplied on bikes where government legislation requires cotter pins. Who knew ??

[ruxpin76]

The "Nylocks" don't like heat, and have a finite lifespan... I seem to recall 12 uses, but I am not sure. I'll be "safety wiring" mine.