In response to Dave Van Hook's question, Chuck Schmidt wrote:
Only a guess, but a fairly common mistake with cotter pins. Properly installed cotter pins enter both cranks symmetrically. If each crank is pointed rearward, then the pin enters the hole from the top with the nut at the bottom. Viewing both cranks from the side, the pins will enter from opposite directions. --------- Chuck, for us old-timers it is quite clear. but, I'm not sure one has to be so prescriptive. I'll certainly agree that "Viewing both cranks from the side, the pins will enter from opposite directions." But, going beyond that is a bit, well, beyond me. I do remember browsing some repository of Revealed Wisdom, perhaps the Data Book, and being amused that some were installed as you suggest, and others were exactly the opposite. If the cotters are properly filed, fitted, seated, and secured, I've not been able to convince myself that they care which end is up when the crank is pointing backwards.
Harvey "high friction, low angle" Sachs McLean VA