I just bought new wheels & a 7-speed freewheel for my '75 Peugeot (rehab project, trying to get this old rig on the road, for "bike to work day" & for quick trips to the store). The wheels fit in the frame without too much trouble, however the freewheel won't turn backwards. Any clue as to what's causing this? Also, I want to service the bottom bracket, which means removing the cotter pins. Any ideas how to do this short of banging the heck out of it? Thanks!! - Jim

Sheldon Brown has some detailed advice for removing cottered cranks. See link below,
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cotters.html
Good Luck

however the freewheel won't turn backwards.

It's not clear what you mean here. The first thought is that you put a 7 spd FW on a bike spaced for 5 spd and that the smallest cog is touching the frame. Pedalling generates enough force to grind it forward, but you can't backpedal it. When the wheel is out of the bike, does the freewheel work correctly? If yes, then look for some contact point when the wheel is in the frame. If it doesn't freewheel when out of the frame, then it sounds like a defective FW. However, a new FW could just be a bit tight such that it turns but takes a relatively high force to make it do so. If that is the case, lay the wheel on the ground and work some lightweight oil into the FW.

Also, I want to service the bottom bracket, which means removing the cotter pins. Any ideas how to do this short of banging the heck out of it? Thanks!! - Jim

The standard assumption is that you have a spare set of cotter pins before starting to work on cottered cranks. If you un-thread the cotter pin nut so that it is just flush with the end of the pin, then you can whack on the nut rather than whacking on the pin. This helps protect the threads from the damage they normally suffer when being hammered out. However, cotter pins are made of pretty soft metal, so sometimes they get damaged even with this approach. NEVER assume that you can get a cotter pin out without wrecking it. If you can, that's fine, but be prepared.

I just bought new wheels & a 7-speed freewheel for my '75 Peugeot (rehab project, trying to get this old rig on the road, for "bike to work day" & for quick trips to the store). The wheels fit in the frame without too much trouble, however the freewheel won't turn backwards. Any clue as to what's causing this? Also, I want to service the bottom bracket, which means removing the cotter pins. Any ideas how to do this short of banging the heck out of it? Thanks!! - Jim

For the cotter pin removal, put your bottom bracket spindle on a support of some sort, so that when you start banging on the end of the cotter pin, the spindle isn't being adventently pounded against the bearings. A V-notched block of wood, a rock with a cloth on it, whatever, and try to make it support the spindle, not just the BB shell. A shot of your favorite penetrating lube around the pin can be helpful, too. Then, use some class and break out the metal punch set. You may still destroy the cotter pin, but not from lack of proper technique.

Before you have at it, does your shop stock replacement pins?