Mk3 Rods

Hello, I'm just about to send my crank, rods and pistons off to the balancers. I've fitted new crank bolts, etc, and was inspecting the rods. I have 2 different rods, with different markings on each.
One has two circled "D's" at either side of the number "23258" and a circled "D" on the other side.
The other has "NM23258 and R5R2R and nothing on the other side.

I've seen on the Norvil site some horror pictures regarding " Double D " rods.

Any of you learned types have any advice regarding this?

Or should I carry on and wipe the Double "D" thing from my memory?

I don't know the history for sure regarding this engine. It's a 1977 Mk3 Interstate, and I guess it was put together in '76 with what ever was left over at that time.

The "D" could be an "O" but it looks more like a "D"

Regards Graeme. (aka, Para Noid)

D rods are ticking time-bombs. http://www.norvilmotorcycle.co.uk/techtalk35.htm

The dire warnings given by Norvil I would have thought, be enough to convince even the most reckless or skeptical Commando owner to not only remove any D rods they happen to find in their engines, but also to destroy them, so they are not left lying around for any future generations to put on eBay!

Thank you L.A.B.

The reason I asked the question was I have asked many people in Australia and New Zealand regarding the double "D" rods and no one had heard of any horror stories, or new of them.

So, my next question is do I buy 1 new rod, or a good second hand rod, or 2 new rods?
Bearing in mind the whole assembly has yet to go to the balancers. (money is an issue, but false econnomy bites hard)

I know if the learned masses on this site had said not to worry about it, it would have still worried me in the back of my mind..

Regards Graeme.

GRM 450 said:

So, my next question is do I buy 1 new rod, or a good second hand rod, or 2 new rods?

Click to expand...

Personally, I would want to fit two new rods if the funds were readily availabe, but there's no problem with the non-D type rods as far as I'm aware, so you could continue to use the other non-D rod.

Why not try to buy a pair of second hand rods, probably not much more expensive and easier to find than a single rod. People who strip bikes to sell normally sell them in pairs and then at least you know they are likely to be of the same type and also of the same mileage.