Forum

[m1ks]

Heres a quick clip of my big end/crank play, side to side play evident, no apparent slop on the pin, up/down front/back.
Thoughts on whether this is OK would be appreciated.
Thanks.

---------http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzjmvmxiZKg-----------

[simon]

It wouldn't worry me. There is no lateral force on a single so it should be fine.

[Mark M]

You probably can't tell if it is a roller bigend or a floating bush one but the side to side play (rock,) looks a little excessive to me. However, the absence of vertical play would make me say carry on, but probably plan for a bottom end job eventually. Some Indian Bullets do big mileages on their original bottom ends but I think it's fair to say most don't until rebuilt with European components! While you're in there, check the small end for ovality and cracking and don't let the rod whack against the cases or otherwise get marked, use some pipe lagging to protect it when not starring in a video!
REgards, Mark

[Les H]

It does have a tad more rock than it should have, but if you can feel no up down movement it's worth putting it back into use again, especially as you said earlier you don't want to spend too much money on it. You either strip it right down and spend lots of money and completely renew everything or rebuild the top end, with only some new +40 thou rings required + gaskets and new oil and ride it and get several thousands of miles out of it. So it depends on how much of a perfectionist or worrier you are. I reckon you might as well put it back together as it is it won't take long compared to the cost and time of a complete rebuild.

[Bullet Whisperer]

That side to side movement is a little generous, but if you can feel no up and down play [near mid stroke on the way down is best, but you will need to lock the crank somehow] and it wasn't knocking before, then use it some more. As an aside, my Indian 350 sounds like a bag of nails but goes very well, better than many 'quiet' ones that would definitely seize trying to catch it. Put it back together and enjoy it for as long as it lasts - it could be a good while!
Paul.

[m1ks]

Thanks again guys.
Your help and advice is greatly appreciated, I'll leave that bit as is for now and work on the top bit.
,Mark, thanks for the tip on protecting the rod, little end is fine btw, no scoring, cracks, ovality or worrying marks.
Got a set of +0.40 rings ordered, just need to get the hone.

[Alan R]

Hello there MATEY !!!---------- Late getting home tonight so have only just seen the vid. As per BW, I think the side play seems a lot. Given that the piston design also has lateral float then I would have expected almost zero or very minimal lateral float for the crank assy. ie. alignment being from the crank upwards....However-- as your alternative is to strip the whole engine and re-build the bottom end I think you'll be ok for now laving it as is. I have asked on the Midland Bullet Riders forum if anyone has a spare 350cc piston at +0.040" they might sell to you. Every little bit helps !!! Now where have I heard THAT before ??

[m1ks]

Thanks Alan, once I've checked the oil pump feed and am happy I'll clean it up and rebuild it.
Thanks for the ask on the other forum, at least I now know that I have the option to go to +0.80 if all behaves. For some reason I was sure the biggest oversize in the hitchcocks book was +0.40.