"connecting rod knock"?

[flivver]

Saw this on the local craigslist.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/4852806379.html

Less than $1k is appealing. Anybody hazard a guess as to what a "connecting rod knock" might be?

[Zarticus]

Connecting rod is what connects the piston to the crankshaft, Connecting rod knock usually is a bad connecting rod bearing that is making a "knocking" noise.

[Rev Ryder]

Hydrolocked and slightly bent rod most likely.  Not actually a "rod knock" but a piston knock due to the rod being bent slightly sideways so the piston cannot rock squarely.   DAMHIK about this. 



Then of course.... it could just be a rod knockin'.  Either way the engine is hurt.

[flivver]

Ouch. Yeah. Probably not something I want to get involved with, then. Thanks!

[Rev Ryder]

Offer him $600 and if he bites you stole it anyway.  Rifle windshield, highway pegs, good plastics, at least one bag...

Part if out for $$$ or put a used engine in and enjoy it.   

If you're handy and it's just a bent rod... and it is number two or three, it can probably be fixed cheaply without pulling the engine. Of course you don't know that going in so make the buy a cheap one.

[The Wizard]

flivver if you can swap an engine its worth it,at least here we can find inexpensive engines.  The Wizard

[cra-z1000]

Could be worth a look to see if the knock is really a rod knock .

[AirMonger]

Starter chain? Clutch basket? The list goes on. Take a stethoscope with you to try to pin point it.

[Steve in Sunny Fla]

kust because that's what the owner says that's whats wrong doesn't mean he's correct. I mean think about it, How many times have you seen a pos and the owner is telling you it's perfect    Steve

[Thud300]

Lowball the he** out of the guy and get a boatload of donor parts!

I'm very glad to have pulled the trigger on mine, cause I haven't seen another offered outside of a stealership. 140 miles this weekend! 

[Smooooth]

Smooooth not happy - 

It 'appears' too nice to use the words 'Part it out' and 'Donor'

[Rev Ryder]

Smooooth not happy - 

It 'appears' too nice to use the words 'Part it out' and 'Donor'

Agreed Smooth. My point was really that it's worth the purchase even in a worst case scenario.
I bought one once that had caught fire and basically burnt to the ground. No wiring. No plastics. No seat. I just wanted the engine. It became the prettiest Connie and sweetest running stocker I have owned to date.  Granted I spent too much fixing her up but she was still worth the effort. I rode her two years and sold her to get money for mama a car. I wish I still owned her. Her name was the Torch and I still carry one for her. 

[flivver]

I sent him a note and asked about the knock, and how it was diagnosed.  He said he took it to the local dealership, and the mechanic said it was "almost certainly a connecting rod knock", but did not actually inspect the bike further.  So yes, it could be anything. 

[flivver]

Wow. I put the unhappy face icon in, and got a series of Connies out. Weird.