> There is probably an old old discussion somewhere about > this. How do you > remove those stubborn cotter pins? In my lifetime I have > only removed one set > successfully without drilling or cutting through the BB > axle. > > Furthermore, since this is a french bike, is it only the > cup threads that > differ, i.e., can I fit a square taper in those cups?
Keith,
To answer your first question, please take a look at this article:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/
To answer your second question: you can use a square taper axle, but you will need to be aware of whether you need one meant for thick-wall or thin-wall cups. If you don't know which is which by simply examining the cups, you will have to measure your current spindle - from one "bearing sholder" to the other. A distance of about 50mm means you have thick-wall cups, and a distance of about 55mm means thin-wall. Some French cups are sort of in-between the two, but you can play around with spacers and so forth...
Good luck,
Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia (USA)