2002 EC125 Connecting Rod Trifercation
 

I bought back the 2002 EC125 I had a few years ago with a newly added crankcase inspection window in the bottom of the engine. I initially thought it might be a crank stuffer bolt but when I pulled it apart it was much worse. The connecting rod broke and in two places and the carnage was impressive. :eek:

I was told that the cases should be able to be repaired. I will know more tomorrow morning. I will need to weld the cylinder to fill the gouge, replate it and get a new piston so I might as well cut the bore bigger and make it a 144cc. That is a pretty easy choice for similar money! :D

Wow, to snap a conrod like that must have taken some force. :eek:

I guess it didn't happen at idle RPM!

Do you know what happened? Did the big end seize? If so why?

Just interested to know.

Hope you can get it fixed for a reasonable price.

All the best, Dave.

The guy said he warmed up the bike for 3 min and then rode it WOT through the gears. It bogged in 1st (probably not warm yet) and ripped through 2,3 and 4. Top end of 4th it locked solid. Both rod bearings looked fine as did the crank bearings. The piston and plug were perfect. Very strange.

Sounds like a cold seizure to me.
Went full throttle for too long, too quickly before everything has warmed up to the correct tolerances together.

Why are there no witness marks on the piston and cylinder of a bore seizure?

Good point Zman.

What do you reckon it is then?

Stress fatigue on the aged conrod?

I showed it to my friend Eric who said it was a material failure. He said the Vesrah rods are ok quality but he has seen them fail occasionally.

A few weeks ago, I got all of the parts back for the blown up 2002 GG125 and they looked great! This EC144cc is being built for more low end power for my god-daughter.

I set the squish at 1mm ~ 0.040 inches and I finished up the engine assembly last night. I put a quick coat of high heat clear on the bare aluminum parts so they stay cleaner. We are going to run this one without the 1cm reed cage spacer for even more low end torque and throttle response.

Nice rebuild