Engraving my xs650

[Grimmith]

HEY EVERYONE, I've posted a few picks of engraving I've done to some parts on my 77 xs650 D, and was wondering if I can do any engraving on the engine block it self? I wanted to do some cool designs but nothing extreme, and thought I'd ask before I started.

 

[Paul Sutton]

Is there an issue regarding the propagation of fractures?????

 

[Grimmith]

Is there an issue regarding the propagation of fractures?????

Thats what I was concerned about. I understand everything is engineered to certain specs. So I was curious if I engraved like 1 or 2/32" and if it would give any sort of chance it could crack while running.

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

You may want to avoid the case boss areas where the cylinder studs are screwed in...

 

[MaxPete]

Indeed. I’d stay away from any fastener holes or any thin sections.

It would likely be best to have the part off the bike so that you have access to both sides of it (I’m thinking about the engine side cases). That way you can determine how thick the part actually is.

 

[Grimmith]

Okay cool, I already know how thick both the side cases are, since I've already ground on them both quite a bit. But for the engine, I think I'll just do minimal designs in open areas not near gaskets or bolts.

 

[Soul]

I have engraved a heap of engines over the years without any issues yet. Cases are fairly thick in general and are no problem for engraving. I would steer clear of any known problematic areas for cracking on a block and double check anything i would be cutting into before taking to it with a chisel. There will always be an element of risk with a block cause the vibrations and stress on them may not be an issue until it has had some taken out of it. You wont know until you have a go i guess.

 

[Grimmith]

Nice man! Thats the traditional way to do it, I'm not their yet