Big end bearing on early counterbalance engine

[EC250]

Hi

Just wanted to know if the early counterbalance engine used on my 1997 ec 250
Are any more prone to needing the big end bearing being replaced frequently I'm only asking because I was chatting with a fella the other day who said this was an manufacturing fault with my bike because it did not use a roller bearing.

I had mine replaced last year but that was down to the previous owner abusing it.
So has anyone else had any problems, or should I not worry about it.

Cheers for any help

 

[desertgasser300]

I never had a problem with it, but I did replace all the bearings three years ago while I had it apart, but just for preventative maintenance.

 

[EC250]

That's good to here desertgasser300, mine had everything replaced last year bar the con-rod.

 

[Zman]

Many bikes come with two ball bearings and some come with a ball and a roller so I would not claim it to be a mfg error.

 

[EC250]

Ok so I spoke to a fella at Bike Tech UK who was really helpful that set me straight, he told me that the issue that I was inquiring about had nothing to do with the big end it self, it was an issue that a part of the internals in side of the engine was not being lubricated with oil properly and it was a matter of clearance, and something that could be easily updated and sorted, sorry I appreciate that was a vague description but I have zero knowledge of anything mechanical and can not remember exactly what he said, great fella though !

 

[motopsycho87]

Run more oil in your fuel.

 

[EC250]

I'm going to start running Motul 800 at 40-1, I was running 50-1

 

[Moto7man]

I'm going to start running Motul 800 at 40-1, I was running 50-1

I run the Motul 710 and 800 at 40-1 without any problems.

 

[nknudsen]

So this is a trans bearing he spoke of? I thought the early bikes had a trans bearing issue too so mixing it richer won't help that bearing.

 

[Cruiser]

no issues on my 97.. it had many hours by 03 when I did the full rebuild and to tell the truth, it only really needed a piston and rings. Everything else looked perfect. In fact after sitting idle since the 03 season I had it out a few weeks ago. Still runs nice.