2009 GS500 project

[prichmon]

I bought the bike with a bad rod bearing and a rod bolt separated. The cases and jug up look unharmed. My crank is 12 thous. undersize.

Could someone answer a few questions?

Is the a cost effective means of repairing my existing crank?

Can a different model crank be used in the engine?

Could a GS450 crank be used in the gs500 cases?

Can an early crank ~1992 be used in the cases?

What is required to be able to run without a balance shaft?

Thanks

Rich

[John Park]

I bought the bike with a bad rod bearing and a rod bolt separated. The cases and jug up look unharmed. My crank is 12 thous. undersize.

Could someone answer a few questions?

Is the a cost effective means of repairing my existing crank

Can a different model crank be used in the engine?

Could a GS450 crank be used in the gs500 cases?

Can an early crank ~1992 be used in the cases?

What is required to be able to run without a balance shaft?

Thanks

Rich

The crank is toast. If you look through the part numbers on cmsnl.com you'll see what has the same number; often the differences seem minor, but that's all it takes. I don't think the cranks changed much over the years, but sometimes the production tolerances get different over that much time. You'll need to do some thorough research before you buy anything.

Don't even think about taking the balance shaft out; it doesn't use enough horsepower to be noticeable but the thing will shake itself apart without it. Rebalanced, it will just shake you apart. The balancer is brilliant.

In my opinion, the usual crank failure starts at the fuel tap. It leaks over storage and floods the carbs which drool into the engine and down to the crankcase. Owner fires up the bike in Spring and proceeds to rediscover how fast the bike is. Then the left rod - furthest from he oil pump - dies from diluted lube and comes to a clanking halt. Racers don't find the crank weak, but it does need the right amount of the right oil and a filter now and then.

A complete used engine might be the simplest and cheapest route at this point.

[prichmon]

Thanks for the advice.

I will continue the search for a used engine.