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I note from the photo that the chainring teeth look a bit worn. Since the transmission is critical in getting a bike to feel efficient when ridden, I'd want to make sure I could replace this before going to a lot of trouble over the cranks.
Originality - when I saw this machine I did wonder about the coaster hub. If it was really intended for racing I would have expected it to be fixed, with a double sided hub. Of course, trying to be original with something nearly 100 years old is like attempting to catch a wisp of smoke!
clubman
Tentative work continues. Starting with the Bottom Bracket and cranks. Once the cotter pins were out it was obvious there was a bit of wear here, and the mullered cotter pin on the chainwheel side showed how the previous owner had got over the issue. Get a bigger hammer!
https://www.facebook.com/729783131/videos/pcb.10158091098738132/10158091096228132/?type=3&theater
1925 Bruneau project by Mike, on Flickr
Obviously those with micrometers for eyes can see the oval wear here.
Crank overhaul on the Bruneau Durieux. by Mike, on Flickr
Crank overhaul on the Bruneau Durieux. by Mike, on Flickr
The spindle wasn't bad, but the BRITISH MAKE stamp, maker Thurman, makes me think the previous owner used a spare from his stash to get this bike back on the road.
Crank overhaul on the Bruneau Durieux. by Mike, on Flickr
The French cranks are slightly loose on this English spindle. Maybe this is why they have worn? Although I can't beleive it actually did enough miles to do this. It is a 95 year old machine after all.
Anyway, how to fix? I'm assuming they are original to the machine. A big assumption I know, but they certainly look original. Several friends suggested bushing the cranks, which made total sense to me. But a VCC and RSF chap I met at the Wayfarer 100 ride recently had reservations about this. His reasoning was that although this was fine for light use machines, when you dtill the bush for the cotter pin, you introduce a weak point that is prone to failing. His 'fix' for machines which get heavy use, is to heat the cranks up and then TIG weld them. Then re drill them, to the correct size for the replacement spindle. Anyway, this is what I've gone for, and the cranks have been dispatched to his engineering workshop. Fingers crossed we can do something them.