Weak points on the 350x

[short4stuff]

What are the weak points? These are some of what I have heard:

Connecting Rod (Breaks if you over rev it ?? can you do this is 6th at WOT?)

Frame, cracks in certain spots

Head ??

What else ??

Thanks in advance
And if you could explain the weak spots you've mentioned!

[Tyler 54]

From what I've read, and seen through personal experience, these are my thoughts.

I have seen a few Rods Break, I don't beleive it was caused by over reving. My rod broke simply because a Crank bearing went bad. And I couldn't hear it over my pipe. So in small time The crank bearing seized up, Bent the rod, and virtually it broke in like 6 pieces. Then Damged my piston, broke my Sleeve, and took out some MISC parts in my gear case before it was done.

The Frame will crack all around the Rear seat gromment area. I've also seen them crack on the left sides Rear motor mount. I'm sure there are spots I've missed somebody will fill me in.

The heads arent neccasarily weak, the Timing chains just get stretched alot on the them, causing it to skip time..and most of the time this either breaks valves, or bends them, Either one can lead to piston damage.

I also See alot of 350X motors with Case damage from the chain, more than any other motor. This may not be a weak spot. I have heard that with a case saver you can not run a 15 tooth front sprocket, so maybe thats why so many of them don't have savers?? Maybe more from peoples stupidity?? I know I am to lazy to buy a case saver on. Mine was even broke before. Just one of the accidents waitign to happen, and by the time you get the case saver it's to late.

Hope this helps

[Xowner]

i have bought two 350X motors with rod failiuers i belive they wernt the strongest and also the head and side cases

the one 350X engine i bought has high compression piston in it and it had stock rod and it was in 8 parts also took out the cylider and the counter blancer

[350x'inNY]

The case savers are still available from Honda the last time I checked. Seems like they are ~$15. When I get back from OH, I'll look up the part number for you.

Bruce

[350XXX]

x owner, most rod failures in bikes with high compression pistons are caused from running low octaine gas. anything with more than 10.5:1 compression NEEDS 110 or higher octaine gas. thats what happens from running low octaine gas.

[Xowner]

so if you ran the right gas it wouldnt snap the rod?

[ATC crazy]

so if you ran the right gas it wouldnt snap the rod?

Low octane pre-detonates easier the higher you go up in compression. Pre-detonation is what snaps rods and cracks pistons. A higher octane will prevent this in most cases.