Piston damage? Chipping/cracking?

[Guest]

So I'm getting better, but I'm still learning to distinguish between what is actual damage and what is an artifact of casting aluminum. Found this inside the left piston of my '80 450L, just wondering if it looks like actual damage or not. If damage, any guesses what from?





It looks to me like there may be at least one real crack running through it, but I can't get any magnifier in there to get a better look. Figured I'd see if y'all had seen anything like this before.

[Flyboy]

Sure looks like damage, but given its position it is hard to hink what it could be from, maybe an original casting flaw that is starting to create trouble.
It is difficult to tell from the pics, but it looks like it is on the thick part of the piston that supports the gudgeon pin, looks like it could be dressed out without too much of a problem, but hard to say.

[almarconi]

When in doubt, throw it out. How much does another piston cost?

[Nessism]

Hard to tell. Maybe take some sand paper and see if the mark sands off, or reviles a crack. Pistons rarely fail in the location of that mark.

[1980GS1000E]

Casting flaw. Run it. Ride more worry less.

[5150/gs]

I don't even see a picture!!!????

[tom203]

I don't even see a picture!!!????

It's that can of startup- the fumes will blind you!

[5150/gs]

hahahahha good one,that stuff is strong, i see it now,yah just casting,ride it like u stole it eh!!!

[5150/gs]

That startup i swear by!!!I am an advocate of strip n dip for our bikes with o-rings but that stuff works!!!