Worn Pistons - Connecting Rod Issues?

[steve_wood]

So in another thread, we talked about engine noise. I can't shake the feeling that my mill is not right. I definitely hear a knocking sound in 1st and 2nd gear.

I remembered that I still have the .010 pistons that were in the bike when I got it. Previous owner said it had a fresh rebuild.

What do you think? Unusual wear for what is probably low mileage? Notice the wear on the sides of the piston right above the top compression ring. Bent connecting rod?

Here's the front of the front piston:

Front Cylinder - Front.JPG

Left side of front piston:

Front Cylinder - Left.JPG

Rear of the front piston:

Front Cylinder - Rear.JPG

Right side of the front piston:

Front Cylinder - Right.JPG

Here's the front of the rear piston:


Left side of rear piston:


Rear of the rear piston:


Right side of the rear piston:

[1951 adam]

Do you feel any up and down play on the rods? You can check if the rod is twisted by using a plate and feeler gauge under the wrist pin, the pistons dont look THAT bad , measure the cylinder and piston Steve, are the walls grooved? Adam

[steve_wood]

Those are the old pistons. The mill is together now with .020 pistons so I can't check the rods at the moment.

[Hog54]

Those pistons look better than mine and I have no knocking.

[Cotten]

Steve!

I see no evidence of a rod problem.

A rigorous cross-hatch with Scotch-Brite, and they would seem serviceable to me.

But then I prefered used pistons, when I could fit them.

....Cotten

[58flh]

STEVE----We had a guy bring in a shovel that he said knocked threw all the gears & kept on knockin!---Turned out a roller on the lifter was about to explode!--Im not sayin thats your issue, but did you think maybe the trans?---Richie

[steve_wood]

Richie,

I hear the noise with the bike in neutral and with the clutch pulled in so I'm thinking it's not the transmission.

Yesterday, while still trying to sort out my clutch issues (don't ask), I fired it up and I heard a new sound - definitely a clacking in the valve train. So I'm gonna do a compression test today and look at the lifters (again). I heard the same noise with the solid lifters, but maybe I'll put them back in just to keep it simple.

Ain't life grand? Glad I have my Road King so i can still drive while the pan is on the lift.

[58flh]

STEVE!---Check your cam-lobes & lifters for wear on the solids!--Just for shits & fun!--You got it apart anyway ,MITE as well!--Cant hurt!---Richie

[Hog54]

Steve!

I see no evidence of a rod problem.

A rigorous cross-hatch with Scotch-Brite, and they would seem serviceable to me.

But then I prefered used pistons, when I could fit them.

....Cotten

Hey cotton,what do you use for,A rigorous cross-hatch with Scotch-Brite?

[Cotten]

Hey cotton,what do you use for,A rigorous cross-hatch with Scotch-Brite?

The palm of my hand, and maybe some WD-40.

....Cotten

[Hog54]

Oh I thought you had a tool with scotch-brite mounted on it.

[Cotten]

Hog54!

I have many.
(Old floor scrubber pads can be used for so many things!)

But not for something so simple as scrubbing a piston skirt.

....Cotten