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[Unbalanced]

Considering currently on my new engine whether to have the crank Pinned or Welded

Looking for experiences on either choice and why you/builder chose methodology.

[mr_magoo]

Used to be a member here I think it was shortblock charlie in arizona that was welding and truing a crank for $75.00.

[mr_magoo]

Heres a link to him. http://motorcyclemachine.com/index.htm

[AXIL]

   welded.         pinned? can you give a description of what you mean by pinned. thanks.  axil

[PR3VS56]

   welded.         pinned? can you give a description of what you mean by pinned. thanks.  axil

Pinned refers to a shim/pin that is used to tighten the crank so it will not "spin" (go out of alignment).  Once aligned, the pin is pushed in (wedged in) to hold the two moving parts tight.  As you can tell I don't know the proper names for the individual crank components, but I've seen a spun crank (mine!) out of the bike and know what it looks like.

Those who prefer the pin say the heat generating in welding can move the aligned crank away from its aligned position (and once that happens it's permanent - welded slightly incorrect).  Those who prefer to weld say a pinned crank can still slip.

Darkhorse is the only way to go:  http://www.darkhorsecrankworks.com/

Here's another great link from Darkhorse:  http://www.darkhorsecrankworks.com/pdfs/nospin.pdf

[AXIL]

  thanks

[Keats]

I sent mine out to Darkhorse Cranks (Hoban Bros.)

They definitely know what they are doing with cranks.

Had mine pro plugged and welded

[Unbalanced]

Pinned refers to a shim/pin that is used to tighten the crank so it will not "spin" (go out of alignment).  Once aligned, the pin is pushed in (wedged in) to hold the two moving parts tight.  As you can tell I don't know the proper names for the individual crank components, but I've seen a spun crank (mine!) out of the bike and know what it looks like.

Those who prefer the pin say the heat generating in welding can move the aligned crank away from its aligned position (and once that happens it's permanent - welded slightly incorrect).  Those who prefer to weld say a pinned crank can still slip.

Darkhorse is the only way to go:  http://www.darkhorsecrankworks.com/

Here's another great link from Darkhorse:  http://www.darkhorsecrankworks.com/pdfs/nospin.pdf

You have hit the target on the head, only difference here is is pinning better than welding or welding better than pinning or 6 of one half dozen of the other.  I have heard both versions of the slipping and being welded wrong as the reasons, was just looking for anyone with personal experiences with either / and or if they had had any issues.   Only thing I had heard and have not confirmed it was if the pinning slips it can be repinned, was told once you weld it your done if you have issues.      Since I am not "racing" it, I think it should be ok.

FWIW, I ended up having mine welded and trued etc.   I did this more out I know if i dont i will be sorry (murphy's law)  I previously had an issue with my S&S crank in the prior build of the 124.   Its been problem free since the reman 2 + years ago.   Figured the 450 dollars was good insurance.

[Keats]

I am not so sure that once it is welded, it cannot be corrected or reversed.
the weld looks like it could be ground off and is very small.

Hard to believe this would be irreversible mod

[Talon]

Talk to HD-Dude, I think I read that Jim has had them pined in the past. Of course with my memory I could be wrong! 

[erniezap]

I had mine welded, trued, and balanced during the 124 build.  Jim has them welded.

[Keats]

I had mine welded, trued, and balanced during the 124 build.  Jim has them welded.

This is were I show my lack of knowledge (sometimes)

welding , truing and  balancing are 2 different exercises but you would not weld a crank that was not trued.

So they kind of go hand in hand.

Balancing from what I understand is not just balancing the crank, it takes into consideration

the pistons and rings to balance the whole system.

 

[erniezap]

This is were I show my lack of knowledge (sometimes)

welding , truing and  balancing are 2 different exercises but you would not weld a crank that was not trued.

So they kind of go hand in hand.

Balancing from what I understand is not just balancing the crank, it takes into consideration

the pistons and rings to balance the whole system.

 

Agreed.  Since RevPerf was providing the Timkin conversion, pistons, etc, they balanced the motor as a unit

[ggraham45]

im having a 117 done by hillside right now and they are sending the crank to hoban brothers to have it welded,pro plugged and trued plus they recommend new connecting rods because they are the tapered rods.the bike is a serk 2008.

[Keats]

Agreed.  Since RevPerf was providing the Timkin conversion, pistons, etc, they balanced the motor as a unit

The only reason I brought this up was I have often heard the use of "balancing" without regard to pistons.

[Talon]

Found, it. It was someone else, this was on Latus HD web site.

hey there, I am planning on having a large displacement 113" - 124" motor built for my 2007 FXDB. I am hoping to run about 120- 140 hp/ft-lbs range. I have been hearing though that welding my crank pin is a good idea. What are your thoughts? THX

We recommend it but has to be done by someone who knows how to do it correctly. Recommend sending the entire crankshaft assy to Hoban Bros for balancing and welding to get a bullet proof crank.
__________________
Mike Stegmann


GRC
We too use Hoban to do our crank work. If the pro plug is done they will tell you that welding is not a item that is needed for the tq numbers you are running. You can have it welded if you want,... but if you every have to repair the crank you can have problems due to the pin being welded, kind of a double edged sword. We use the pro plug from hobans in the cranks and even keep some cranks on hand for exchange for the standard street builds. They have held in builds making more than that with no slippage issues thus far. We like there work and they take care to ensure the crank is set up correctly.

Just thought I'd pass this on.

http://www.darkhorsecrankworks.com/works.html

Craig

[Rooster]

Found, it. It was someone else, this was on Latus HD web site.

hey there, I am planning on having a large displacement 113" - 124" motor built for my 2007 FXDB. I am hoping to run about 120- 140 hp/ft-lbs range. I have been hearing though that welding my crank pin is a good idea. What are your thoughts? THX

We recommend it but has to be done by someone who knows how to do it correctly. Recommend sending the entire crankshaft assy to Hoban Bros for balancing and welding to get a bullet proof crank.
__________________
Mike Stegmann
If you have your motor built at Latus don't let anyone but Mike Stegmann do the work. And make sure to have a consult with him before hand. Very kind man to talk and deal with.


GRC
We too use Hoban to do our crank work. If the pro plug is done they will tell you that welding is not a item that is needed for the tq numbers you are running. You can have it welded if you want,... but if you every have to repair the crank you can have problems due to the pin being welded, kind of a double edged sword. We use the pro plug from hobans in the cranks and even keep some cranks on hand for exchange for the standard street builds. They have held in builds making more than that with no slippage issues thus far. We like there work and they take care to ensure the crank is set up correctly.

Just thought I'd pass this on.

http://www.darkhorsecrankworks.com/works.html

Craig

[Unbalanced]

The more I thought about this topic, caused me to have more questions about the process and exactly what was being done.   Called Jim's directly today and spoke to Eric to find out more information on the Crank Welding that was to be done, apparently their processes were refined with the help of Hoban (Darkhorse).   So the Crank I was having welded and trued etc is actually pin welded / balanced and trued and not just welded.   

[djkak]

As long as we are considering random thoughts; if you can shrink a bearing race with your welder in order to remove it without a puller, what happens to the interference fit between the crankpin and the flywheel when you weld the assembly?