Piston damage? Chipping/cracking?

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  • caltrop
    • Jan 2026
    #1

    Piston damage? Chipping/cracking?

    So I'm getting better, but I'm still learning to distinguish between what is actual damage and what is an artifact of casting aluminum. Found this inside the left piston of my '80 450L, just wondering if it looks like actual damage or not. If damage, any guesses what from?





    It looks to me like there may be at least one real crack running through it, but I can't get any magnifier in there to get a better look. Figured I'd see if y'all had seen anything like this before.
    Tags: inspection, piston, pistons
    • Flyboy
      #2
      Sure looks like damage, but given its position it is hard to hink what it could be from, maybe an original casting flaw that is starting to create trouble.
      It is difficult to tell from the pics, but it looks like it is on the thick part of the piston that supports the gudgeon pin, looks like it could be dressed out without too much of a problem, but hard to say.

        Comment

        • almarconi
          #3
          When in doubt, throw it out. How much does another piston cost?

            Comment

            • Nessism
              Forum LongTimer
              GSResource Superstar
              Past Site Supporter
              Super Site Supporter
              • Mar 2006
              • 35785
              • Torrance, CA
              #4
              Hard to tell. Maybe take some sand paper and see if the mark sands off, or reviles a crack. Pistons rarely fail in the location of that mark.
              Ed

              To measure is to know.

              Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

              Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

              Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

              KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                Comment

                • 1980GS1000E
                  Forum Sage
                  Past Site Supporter
                  • Aug 2007
                  • 1664
                  • San Diego, California, USA
                  #5
                  Casting flaw. Run it. Ride more worry less.
                  Current Rides: 1980 Suzuki GS1000ET, 2006 H-D Fatboy, 2021 BMW K1600B

                    Comment

                    • 5150/gs
                      #6
                      I don't even see a picture!!!????

                        Comment

                        • tom203
                          Forum Guru
                          Past Site Supporter
                          • Aug 2010
                          • 8925
                          • Norway,Maine
                          #7
                          Originally posted by 5150/gs
                          I don't even see a picture!!!????
                          It's that can of startup- the fumes will blind you!
                          1981 gs650L

                          "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

                            Comment

                            • 5150/gs
                              #8
                              hahahahha good one,that stuff is strong, i see it now,yah just casting,ride it like u stole it eh!!!

                                Comment

                                • 5150/gs
                                  #9
                                  That startup i swear by!!!I am an advocate of strip n dip for our bikes with o-rings but that stuff works!!!

                                    Comment

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