Crank welding

[Big Jay]

APE offers crank pin welding for the four cylinder roller bearing cranks.

Our welding departments checks the cranks to make sure they are not twisted, then welds the pins to prevent it from happening.

We feature ultra quick turn around, usually 24 hours.

This is a cheap mod and recommended for all Kawasakis, and Suzukis that are ridden aggressively or raced.

APE also has the checking rods available to check if your crank is twisted out of index,

http://www.aperaceparts.com/contact.html

[ART]

What does cheap translate to in $?

[tkent02]

Do you commonly see GS550 cranks get twisted?

[Nessism]

Do you commonly see GS550 cranks get twisted?

Have read several threads here over the years about twisted 550 cranks. Seems strange considering the HP involved. At any rate, it's definitely not unheard of.

[Big Jay]

What does cheap translate to in $?

$75.00. I believe the checking rods are $29.95

[gsgeezer]

Thanks for the info!

[Carter Turk]

Do you commonly see GS550 cranks get twisted?

I had a 82 550 MZ that I bought for $125 with a twisted crank. Ended up throwing a 79 motor of unknown condition in that I payed $75 for.

[Tarbash 27]

Would like to see those tig welding beads a little neater...

Stan gardner did my crank years ago, what a fantastic job he did.

[trippivot]

when just a little turns into a lot - get ready

3 out of the last 5 crankshafts I have had done - the metal was damaged where you cannot see it unless the crank comes apart. The crank will turn fine and check straight as an arrow but you will see metal in the oil every oil change -- and when your crank starts tossing metal into the oil it only gets worse until KA-BOOM !!

when you dump the oil does it look like you are panning for gold ?

welding won't help that . paper oil filters do not catch the micro debris either - cam journals on your head? piston skirts?

drop your oil pan once in a while and have a look what is hiding in the bottom of your engine (clutch fiber junk, oil sludge and crank metal).

What?!? surprised a low mile babied bike has a rusty crank bearing roller eating itself alive? 30+ years is a long time to resist corrosion.

in my personal experience 3 out of 5 in the last couple years needed more than welding to be proper...

Good thing you can get new rod bearings, main bearings, and throws.