Cheap piston sets on ebay

I looked at them too but the years don't match and I think they are from China. I was going to buy a set to see how they are. If you buy them let me know.
 
The ones you linked to are 2nd oversize. Oversizes go in .25mm increments. They appear to be the newer style 447 pistons. Earlier models up to '73 used a different piston with a different wrist pin diameter and their part number started with 256. So no, a piston is not a piston. The company selling those is out of Japan but that doesn't mean the pistons came from there. Send them a message and ask where the pistons are made.
 
Ah.., Mr. Cruzinimage has expanded to Yamahas. He's been selling pistons on fleabay for at least a couple of years, now.

There are a few long and occasionally quite heated threads on a number of other forums - the Kawasaki Triples forum for one - about the pros and cons of his pistons. Do a search for 'cruzinimage' on any of the triples forums or the SOHC4 Honda forum and you'll find an evening's worth of reading. Some people are adamant that they're an affront to humanity and disaster is sure to follow their installation but others figure it's worth a try for the cost. I was one of the latter and dropped a set into my KH400 last fall. It has only break-in miles up to now but the bike hasn't blown up yet.

Someone noted that the wristpin heights were a fraction higher than on Kaw OEM pistons which reduces the compression ratio a shade but performance hasn't changed to my notice. OTOH, it may indicate an inattention to detail.

Of course, there's a big difference in the amount of work required to replace pistons in a 400cc two-stroke as opposed to an XS650 - no need to remove the engine on the Kwak. In addition, KH400 pistons are expensive compared to XS pistons - if you can find them at all. And if the purple people-eater does munch the pistons, I still have 4 other bikes to ride. :D If you can afford the extra bucks, it might be worth getting a better-known brand just for the piece of mind.

Regards,
 
Lots of people said they were Chinese but I suspect it was meant as a generalization. At the time (a couple of years ago), a couple of the more knowledgeable residents of the forums mentioned they were made in Taiwan.

Cruzinimage also, apparently, makes big-bore kits for CB750 Hondas and one of those was sent to an owner from Thailand so take your pick.

Google will give a fair cross-section of current opinion on the seller - the general tone seems to be much more charitable than it was when his pistons first came out. Perhaps the products are not as bad as originally feared.

Regards,
 
I just received a set of 2nd oversize for an XS1B engine I'm working on. I didn't see any country of origin markings. They don't look any different than the OEM pistons I removed. I'll take some pictures and post them later.
 
If this is the same place that sold the Honda 836 kits on EBAY I bought three over the last 3 years and SO FAR no bikes came back. Is this the same place that makes the CB1000 kit that CycleX sells ???? I can't fine them but threw them. JE WISCO not. There is another one on EBAY for $150.00 with coated pistons and they sell coated cams for XS too. Anyone use those yet. I only use coated pistons on the skirts for Top Fuel Nitro motors in the past. Anyone ever tested the heat level off of a XS650 how hot do they really get?
 
A quick Google.

1

2

3

4

Some will say cast pistons arn't any good.

Don't tell Burt Munro, (The Fastest Indian), that cast pistons aren't for racing.

An interesting comment on Wisco pistons in one of the threads as well????????
 
Took some pictures tonight of a Cruzinimage piston and one of the pistons I removed. Also a picture of the label on the box.
IMG_1115.JPG

Side by side with the old ART piston
IMG_1119.JPG

Side shot
IMG_1122.JPG

Side by side again
IMG_1124.JPG

Top view, surface is more grainy, not as smooth as OEM
IMG_1125.JPG

Side by side, different angle
IMG_1127.JPG

Shot of the inside
IMG_1120.JPG


I also wrote a quick note to the contact or owner of Cruzinimage:

I recently received an order of parts from you for my XS650 motorcycles. Quality appears good, and your communication and service was excellent. I am a member of a forum, XS650.com , dedicated to sharing information about repairing, modifying and riding this model of Yamaha motorcycle. The pistons you offer for sale have been a topic of several threads, the most recent: http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26971

Since people who repair and maintain their motorcycles are always on the lookout for alternative sources of quality, low cost parts, perhaps you can share some information about your company and any technical information and specifications about the parts you sell.

Thank you for your time,
Harvey Musket


Haven't received a reply yet, post it when I do.

Still have to find a reliable machine shop to do the work on the cylinders, not too plentiful in my area, closest appears to be 70 miles away.

If anybody has any questions about my order let me know.
 
Very crisp pictures, hmusket. The writing on your label looks like katakana japanese. The casting quality, minor voids and flaws, look quite similar to late `60s H*nda pistons. Just by looks, I'd have no problem running these on a daily driver.
 
Hey Harvey, how's the light working out? I actually went with Cruzin Image Pistons myself, I spent a good 3 hours reading reviews and such and decided it was worth it as well. When I had my cylinders bored out I was talking to the guys at the engine shop and they thought the pistons were fairly well made, quality material and the like. They didn't see any reason they would fail or any reason they shouldn't function as well if not better than the original. The material on the crown is actually a bit thicker, than the original, taking advantage of the empty space inside the piston. But as far as my caliper could tell all the dimensions are identical. I think they're a really good product for the price and I would definitely buy them again.

I attached a photo of when I received them, and when I placed them in the jugs.
 

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Light looks good, just haven't figured out how or where I'm going to use it. LOL ^That's good info you posted. Did you use the gasket kit from Cruzinimage?
 
Thanks, Well hopefully you can find a good use for it. I actually ordered an Athena gasket kit. I have a friend with a Suzuki GS850, He picked up the whole cruizin image rebuild package; pistons, rings, and gasket kit. The whole thing worked out really well for his build, he's put on about 4k miles. The gaskets seemed really thick, almost all of them were as thick as the metal rimmed gasket at the top of the cylinders on the XS
 
Sounding good. Next question, all I see on ebay is 74-76 pistons, 2nd oversize. Cruisinimage website is in japanese. I need ones for an '80, 2st oversize.
 
Hey Harvey, how's the light working out? I actually went with Cruzin Image Pistons myself, I spent a good 3 hours reading reviews and such and decided it was worth it as well. When I had my cylinders bored out I was talking to the guys at the engine shop and they thought the pistons were fairly well made, quality material and the like. They didn't see any reason they would fail or any reason they shouldn't function as well if not better than the original. The material on the crown is actually a bit thicker, than the original, taking advantage of the empty space inside the piston. But as far as my caliper could tell all the dimensions are identical. I think they're a really good product for the price and I would definitely buy them again.

I attached a photo of when I received them, and when I placed them in the jugs.

T3chnic4l,
Not intending to hijack this thread but, I will be doing a complete xs650 engine rebuild and need to know how you attached yours to the engine stand.
Thanks :bike:
 
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