Hey, I did it (shameless plug about my mechanic skills)!

[kidproquo]

Hi everyone,

My stock POS tires were worn out, so I decided to get me some new BT45s instead. Cycle gear said they wud do it if I cud take off the wheels myself. So, I searched this site for all the info on wheel removal. Found plenty of DIY help here and plunged in to take my wheels off. Did it with very little trouble.

Had a friend around to help hold the bike while I wrestled with the wheels/brake calipers (yeah I did put spacers inside the calipers to prevent the pads closing in). Took the wheels to Cycle Gear and got the BT45s installed and balanced. Will be putting the wheels back on the bike tonite. Hopefully that wud go smooth as well.

One qsn - can I reuse the cotter pins?

You know, I was a lil apprehensive, thinking it would be a major hassle, while reading the various postings on the subject here. But, once I started doin the real work, it wasn't a big deal at all. And, I am feelin good abt myself - yay!

-Kid

[scratch]

I've reused cotter pins, but I don't reuse them twice.

[raylarrabee]

My auto shop teacher in High School said he would bea us senseless if we ever reused a cotter pin.  Get a new pin.

[pdg108]

Way to go man.    Wrenching on your own bike is really rewarding.  If you've never done it before you quickly relize that 99% of it is really easy.  After all, professional mechanics aren't performing black magic, the just have experience.  

And technically no, you can't reuse the pins.  But we've all done it at one time or another.  But really you can pick them up for pennies at a hardware store, so theres no reason to reuse the things that might be the last thing holding one of your wheels on.

-Paul