Lighten an I - beam rod

[David Redszus]

I have a set of K1 rods I'm almost sure I will end up using there 6.250 long , 507 grams. Scary to look at them when I first got them. Howard's makes a new I- beam rod 6.50 long 680 grams. Have decided will do 3.00 stroke that long of rod could be used with 1.00 CH pistons. I would have to get a gram scale, then something to weigh the big end and small end of the rod, stuff shops have. Then I guess you could take a mic measure as you go. Be a hell of a long hour job to get it all right. I was thinking up above the curve of the big end and a ways below the pin end. Maybe take some off the length of the outside and some down the center. To me there's no such thing as to light of reciprocating weight as long as its strong enough.

If you are going to change the rod masses, remember that the rod gravity centers need to be matched.

[englertracing]

Hmm
I wonder if that rod in the video stayed round...

[Dan Timberlake]

This is video of a shop lightening a connecting rod

=============.

At 5:46 it looks like the finished rod will have :
- Seriously degraded fatigue strength due to the removal of the curved rib that wraps around the bolt head.
- Significantly reduced "foot print" at the rod and cap parting faces.

In my book Not a good exchange for what amounts to the loss of a few ounces of "flywheel" weight.

That rod, like many Honda rods in cars-n-bikes, appears to have been thoughtfully optimized for much Big End goodness with low weight.

[Krooser]

I like his videos although I don't think he has made any in the last few years.

Just learned that John from Costa Mesa R&D passed away 12/25/17.

He was a machinist and an author of several books. RIP.

[Cubic_Cleveland]

This is video of a shop lightening a connecting rod

=============.

At 5:46 it looks like the finished rod will have :
- Seriously degraded fatigue strength due to the removal of the curved rib that wraps around the bolt head.
- Significantly reduced "foot print" at the rod and cap parting faces.

In my book Not a good exchange for what amounts to the loss of a few ounces of "flywheel" weight.

That rod, like many Honda rods in cars-n-bikes, appears to have been thoughtfully optimized for much Big End goodness with low weight.

I agree, not where I’d be looking to save weight either.