250-500cc Polished rod!

Just took cylinder off WR300 to reveal a Wossner piston with a fair bit of blow by but otherwise spotless underneath with seemingly little wear on skirts after nearly 160 hours.

Problem is the rod, while having no vertical play & coupla mm lateral play, has lost most of the orange/brown hard anodising on the sides. I know this was discussed in another thread but can't find it. Bike was still running great but figured time for a new slug. Is there a real danger of rod failure by running it like it is? I'm reluctant to split cases for bottom end as not sure it's worth the $

Will get a coupla photos up tonight

I'm wondering the same thing. Got the 165 torn down and find 1-2 mm play side to side on the big end. 207 hours total on the little bugger, but hoping for another 50 or so before I have to split the cases.

The vertical play is the really important factor. Excessive side play isn't great but doesn't usually lead to immediate self destruction. There are pretty solid specs for side play tolerance. I need to get my manual out and find them for you.

Haha yeah im hoping for 500 hours on 300 before splitting cases! 250-300 be nice on the 125.

What are your thoughts on the coating wearing off boys (& gals & people of non descript gender)

I do not worry about the rod looking polished.

Odd, how would the coating actually wear off? Did a dbl check on the 165 and no wear on the rod surface finish, no vertical play either.
Would like to see that pic of the rod

Careful what you ask for

That's what i wanna hear! Either way it was going back together as is just wanted some reassurance.

Well polish my rod & call me Steve the rockdancin' rancher!

Looks normal, my WR250 looked similar.

Both my Wr250 and Wr360 rods looked like that.

Well put her back together & ran it for a coupla hours on the weekend & all is well. Damn she's got some compression & punch again now!

A few piston pics. Small end bearing looks like it was wearing/getting hot on one side?

Can also see wear frame mounts were welded after cracking in second photo. If frame cracks again then it's part out time!

good hdzup on the frame mounts. will check this one.

My 250 looked exactly like that. On many high performance engines the rod beam is polished for strength. The idea is there's less of a chance for a crack to start and the rough surface does nothing to add strength.

FYI Icebergstu parted his WR300 out and I believe he is still selling his WR frame and motor

You making a fashion statement with socks and thongs combo mate ?
One of my favourites

Haha fuckin' cold on the feet & toes the old concrete!
Did Stu's 300 die? He got a good run out of it like 600+ hours!

I thought it was some sort of hard anodizing? Was sure there was a thread about it & general consensus was it was bad. I sorta look & think well it ain't worn bugger all really not like it's 5mm wear or something

He said it seized - I guess he got more $ out of it that way - hard work though . I bought a chain , bash plate and frame guards . I wouldn't be buying the bottom end then!

Haha, that’s my general footwear around the place lately, even riding the Zeds in the bogan boots. Pretty chilly in the shed nowadays.
My young bloke lunched my WR a couple of years ago, just pinned it not understanding it was jetted for mid range. Got it re coated by Electrosil with gaskets, piston and rings, even better than before. Here comes another 10000klicks. Would never part this old girl out. Just love her too much.
I won’t ever be without a 300, but this 250 won’t be traded.
From memory the rod looked like your photos , shawbagga, good luck with it.