Cotter pin technique

[Rob S.]

Paper clip??? For real??? Glad im not riding that thing

For the rear nut of the brake torque arm - couldn't find a thin enough cotter. I've used nails on occasion.

[storm 64]

If you look at the center stand carefully there is a hole to stick a #2 Philips screwdriver shaft through to lock the stand. Handy when you are working on it with wheels off or applying mondo torque....

I did not know that. Thanks for the tip. You learn something every day.

[jbthomp]

couldn't find a thin enough cotter. I've used nails on occaision.

If you have an o reilleys near you they carry a small assortment that has all the sizes you need. Might check it out.

[Crankthat]

Lowes



Nough said

[Nessism]

Metric cotter pins are sized differently than the more common in the US SAE type. Most of the time you can find an equivalent, but not always. Particularly with the smaller sizes. The proper metric size is between two different SAE sizes.

[Agemax]

R clips are the way to go. stainless steel, reusable, wont fall out and come in sizes from tiny caliper pins to the biggest axle nuts.

[tkent02]

R clips are the way to go. stainless steel, reusable, wont fall out and come in sizes from tiny caliper pins to the biggest axle nuts.

I have had quite a few fall out, don't use them on critical stuff anymore. Seat hinge maybe, that's about it.
There's only about three sizes of cotter pins used on Suzukis, it's easy to carry a few of each tucked away on the frame someplace.

[Agemax]

I have had quite a few fall out, don't use them on critical stuff anymore. Seat hinge maybe, that's about it.
There's only about three sizes of cotter pins used on Suzukis, it's easy to carry a few of each tucked away on the frame someplace.

by the nature of their design, they are almost impossible to "fall" out. you probably had the incorrect size fitted.....

[mrbill5491]

If it says to replace the used cotter pin with a new cotter then that is how it's done. I've had my share of experience with the R clips popping out at times. You don't use them on critical areas like axle nuts and other components that use cotter pins.

[Crankthat]

I have had quite a few fall out, don't use them on critical stuff anymore. Seat hinge maybe, that's about it.
There's only about three sizes of cotter pins used on Suzukis, it's easy to carry a few of each tucked away on the frame someplace.

I have a extra attached to my keyring.

[tkent02]

by the nature of their design, they are almost impossible to "fall" out. you probably had the incorrect size fitted.....

I'm pretty good at figuring what size to use on stuff like that. For all I know someone may have "borrowed" it. All I know is I put it in and later on it was gone. Some of them I even wired in place, still after a while it was gone.

A missing pin can kill you. Doesn't matter why its missing, the end result its the same.

No one ever steals cotter pins, and they certainly don't fall out if they are in right.

[Rob S.]

R clips are the way to go. stainless steel, reusable, wont fall out and come in sizes from tiny caliper pins to the biggest axle nuts.

I agree...I love R-clips. Easy on, easy off. I think I eventually put one on the rear axle nut of my Z1 (decades ago).

[mrbill5491]

I agree...I love R-clips. Easy on, easy off. I think I eventually put one on the rear axle nut of my Z1 (decades ago).

The operative statement/word here is "easy on, easy off", that alone makes me want to keep the cotter pins. Ask GSXR Ed what I did when I found a R clip/pin in his front axle nut. OH, and I found a piece of wire in the place of a cotter pin in one of his rear brake torque arm bolts. PO must have put it there, Ed never knew it was there until the other nite.

[Rob S.]

So you guys go out on a ride with an R-clip on the rear spindle, and when you come back it's gone?

I've never had an R-clip fail on me (or a cotter pin).

[mrbill5491]

So you guys go out on a ride with an R-clip on the rear spindle, and when you come back it's gone?

I've never had an R-clip fail on me (or a cotter pin).

I've never used nor will I use a R clip on a axle nut or replace a cotter pin used on any motorcycle component with a R clip. The R clips I've used have been on agricultural machinery and we are talking all sizes of R clips. I've seen them disappear.