Hi all, I'm a new member to QRHQ and this is my first post (first forum actually!).

Me and my brother just purchased a 1989 zilla. It's in a real bad way at the minute and we intend to carry out a full restoration. Lots to do and lots of questions to ask!

As we are completely rebuilding the engine, we are having the crank rebuilt with a new Hot Rods con rod. From reading quite a bit on QRHQ, it seems that the RM250 needle bearing should be used instead of the stock needle.

My question is, is the Hot Rods needle bearing OK to use or should we get the RM250 needle bearing instead? Also, are the billet aluminium thrust washers (mentioned in other posts) really necessary?

Thanks in advance!

Oh dear, the crank is actually in the shop as we speak :-(

I though Hot Rods were decent? Has there been any horror stories about their rods?

Great info on the little end by the way, I'll get the RM250 needle and billet thrust washers.

Shall I search ebay for the washers or get them from someone on QRHQ? Bearing in mind I'm in the UK!

Thanks for your reply!

you should be fine, oem parts are usually better for these bikes. just make sure to have it welded.

Why weld it?  The majority of the LT 500 cranks are really tight and do not need welding.  Welding cranks became popular and necessity when everyone started building stroker cranks.  Stroker cranks cannot usually have the same interference fit as stock cranks without splitting the crank pin hole because there is less material between the crank pin hole and the outside of the crank.   

We rebuild a lot of cranks that were previously welded and it adds a lot of unnecessary cost to the rebuild.   Many times a rebuild on a previously welded crank is substandard because the crank pin hole is often damaged and distorted from the previous welding.

We only weld cranks that have a loose interference fit or if the customer insist that they want it welded.