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To knife edge, or not?
https://ukbeg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=15202
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Author:  muzza [ 07 Aug 2012 23:34 ]
Post subject:  To knife edge, or not?

Im building a mild state of tune motor for my xb/x1. what are your thoughts on getting the crank knife edged and balanced/lightened?
The cost is about £290 plus vat plus about 17 quid each way for courier. (chris applebee)
The engine has cost me a small fortune at the mo and i wanted to know weather i would just be wasting my money? cheers, muzz ;)

Author:  pash [ 08 Aug 2012 00:07 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

You might cut yourself when you put it back together....

Author:  WILLYBUELL [ 08 Aug 2012 00:36 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

pash wrote:
You might cut yourself when you put it back together....

:hehe:

Author:  Nutah [ 08 Aug 2012 08:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

depends do you want ..torque or faster pick up/high revs ?

IIRC the heavy crank is where the torque is generated

Author:  DaveH [ 08 Aug 2012 08:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

Just have it dynamicly balanced. Knife edging the crank webs is for high revving motors with a wet sump to reduce oil drag. That doesn't affect our motors. Your'e just throwing good money away that you could put towards a nice set of Carrillo rods for it :D :D :D

Author:  Hawk13 [ 08 Aug 2012 12:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

muzza wrote:
i wanted to know weather i would just be wasting my money? cheers, muzz ;)


yes ;)

You are not starting with a performance motor and don't have any realistic expectation of ending up with one so I wouldn't bother.

As Dave has said, if you want to spend money then your best bet is to have it properly lightened / balanced. Knife edging and polishing etc is really only for those people chasing 'willy waving' peak power figures. (But if it doesn't cost much more than just having it balanced then why not?)

HOWEVER, and this is the advice I will always give, if you want to go faster spend money on suspension and tyres.

I've consistently seen people drop significant sums of money on track / race bikes with performance parts and then flown past them in the corners because I've spent my money on suspension.

I have also spent money of tuning parts though and took a Yamaha TRX850 from 72 rear wheel horse power (standard) to 104 RWHP. In doing this, I used standard con rods and 'only' had the crank balanced and lightened. (But spent lots and lots elsewhere.)

Author:  Adam [ 08 Aug 2012 15:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

Image

This TRX used to do alright on the track with fairly ordinary Qualifiers. Std motor apart from flatslides, but it had a lot of work on the suspension ;)

Author:  mojomick [ 08 Aug 2012 21:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

I'd get it dynamically balanced. You'll have to send the rods, pistons gudgeon pins etc.
These people have a good rep amongst brit bike owners. :yup:


http://www.bassetdownbalancing.co.uk/

Author:  muzza [ 08 Aug 2012 22:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

interresting. mojo i think your right looking at there website. i was told that whilst balancing my crank it would be knife edged anyway.
over 300 quid sounds alot to me for something i may not see any gain from. a call to bassett down sounds in order.

as for spending money on suspension, i dont think i ride that quick to see the results :cry:

Author:  Maz [ 08 Aug 2012 22:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

Quote:
as for spending money on suspension, i dont think i ride that quick to see the results


So why bother wasting dosh in the engine department :?

Author:  Lazzzydog [ 09 Aug 2012 00:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

Lighter wheels and better suspension every time. But not on a Buell.

Author:  kevmean [ 09 Aug 2012 00:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

Balance the crank for reliability reasons and tune the suspension and brakes for performance ;)

Author:  steely [ 09 Aug 2012 00:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

Maz wrote:
Quote:
as for spending money on suspension, i dont think i ride that quick to see the results


So why bother wasting dosh in the engine department :?


+1. If you're not going to use it, there seems little point in performance engine mods, especially to the extremes that you're considering... unless it's for dyno bragging rights, which is a pointless exercise, as there are many engines out there that will produce a lot more power, a lot more reliably, than these old pushrod lumps can ever do.

Author:  Mickrick [ 09 Aug 2012 15:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

http://vibrationfree.co.uk/

Author:  muzza [ 09 Aug 2012 16:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: To knife edge, or not?

Maz wrote:
Quote:
as for spending money on suspension, i dont think i ride that quick to see the results


So why bother wasting dosh in the engine department :?


cause the engine had shit itself in the first place. and me being me put some goodies in it when rebuilding. ya just have too

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