So by looking at the 2 posted pictures it looks like these pistons crack on the intake side most of the time?  Is this a safe assumption?  And if it is, is it advisable to just pull the reed cage and look in at the intake side of the piston every once in a while to look for cracks?  I know you can't see the whole piston or measure cylinder wall clearance, but it has to be better than nothing....

Removing the reeds and looking at the piston has to be better that no inspection.  If you find a crack it will be definately worth you time.

The cracks may be very difficult to see.  The incoming fuel and air washing away the fine powered aluminum that emerges from the cracks may make it difficult to see on the side of the piston that is rubbing the bore.  Using a small dentist type of mirror to look at the inside surface of the piston could make it easier to see cracks.