At this time, the European Performance Crankshaft assembly is the best available option, and is rock-solid.
It is funny, but that single part costs almost half what I paid for my bike last year with only 600 miles on it. Fortunately I didn't see you indicating that it would be required with your secret project.
Thanks again for your technical articles, Ace.
-Rick
Rick,
The truth about the Bullet 500 bottom end is that it is reliable for long term in stock form, up to about 5000-5500 rpms, as long as it's made right and wasn't assembled with a hidden defect.
Anything higher than 5500 rpm on a regular basis may have an effect of shortening the lifespan, or even having a catastrophic failure in certain circumstances.
I think if the stock rod gets a good inspection and polishing-out of any nicks and other stress-risers on the surface, and is a good example of the forging, it may be reliable to 6000 rpms, and I know of at least one successful Bulllet racer who runs his stock rods to 6000 rpm in races all the time, and they stay in one piece.
But, that doesn't mean that ALL of them will do that, because of the spotty Indian quality control. And we must take that into account.
I targeted the 6000rpm redline for the stuff I'm making, because a PROPER Indian-made crank and rod should be able to get there without blowing up, ON OCCASION. I don't recommend making a habit out of it.
I think that 5500 rpm is a much more "sane" rpm limit for street use with the stock bottom end, and perhaps even limiting it to 5250 rpm.
I can't be certain of the quality of every single stock rod out there. And neither can anybody else.
So, what I did was to pick an rpm range that could be of use to those who have both types of cranks and rods. The stock system, and the Performance Crank/Rod.
The people with the Performance Crank have a very safe bet at 6000 rpm.
The people who have stock cranks and rods have a more "iffy" proposition. But it is possible that good ones can do the full 6000 rpms.
In any case, the power curve that I'm working on here is a wide one.
You don't have to do 6000 rpms to get alot of power. It will do very fine with a 5500 rpm limit, or even less.
So, each person can select how far up the rpm range he is willing to risk, for his personal use. It's his bike, and he can use it the way he wishes.
But my recommendation would be to hold a stock bottom end down to under the 5500 rpm limit, and leave the full 6000 rpms to the guys with the stronger crank and rod.
Or, at least don't go visiting the 6000 rpm redline as a frequent occurrence if you have a stock bottom end.
I can't control the build quality of your bottom end. That's done at the factory, unless you do something to it to improve it. And I think that in some cases, the factory Indian made bottom ends can indeed withstand the 6000 rpm limits fairly regularly. But, I don't know which ones, or for how long.
So, prudence would be good advice on this matter, and rev on the conservative side, unless you are willing to take risks.
However, if you wish to run like a racer, then it might be best to get the performance crank/rod system, or make regular tear-downs to inspect the integrity of your parts, just like the racers do.
I am aware of the bottom end situation, and I didn't go there, frankly because I don't have enough money to be doing that right now. I have my efforts focused on the top end power production bits. There is a top-grade crank/rod system currently available already, although it is spendy. But it's good.
If, at a later time, I may undertake some bottom end parts, then I can address that issue as I think best. But that is not for now. And I have to be realistic about what people have available to run with. So, I make rpm limit recommendations in the hopes that people don't blow up their engines.Some can take it, and some can't, and that's the "Enfield gamble".
I provide the power parts, and it is the individual responsibility of the owner to ensure bottom end integrity to his own satisfaction, or his own risk.
I think that for someone who is serious about performance modifications, the Performance Crank/Rod assembly and a top-grade set of main bearings(not stock Indian ones), would be a pre-requisite.
But it's not mandatory, if you are sensible about how far you go with the mods, and how you use it on the road. Be aware of the limitations of stock parts, because they are NOT racing parts.