Crankshaft Welding

Like to expand on my previous crankshaft assembly post, with emphasis on the welding work... 
Link below:
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/618672-cranks...tion?start=12#881849

I recently acquired this ZX1100A crankshaft off ebay, where I spotted it three auction cycles before placing a bid...and nobody else did. 
It apparently received a lot of attention around the time my oldest son was blowing out diapers in the late 1980's or so.  The weld quality looks pretty good to my untrained eye.  

I am seeking member input relative to the welding process, skill level needed, and the time it would take to produce a weld like this:

Appearances can be deceptive but as long as the weld has good penetration it should be up to the job.
If it's been done professionally the crank would have been stripped indexed and each pin welded as it was assembled to get clear welding access rather than welding them after the crank is complete.
 

zed1015 wrote:

Appearances can be deceptive but as long as the weld has good penetration it should be up to the job.
If it's been done professionally the crank would have been stripped indexed and each pin welded as it was assembled to get clear welding access rather than welding them after the crank is complete.


 

Thanks zed1015.  Would it be accurate to assume the weld shown in the image below could only be performed with the crank disassembled?



I can't imagine how this weld could be done accurately if the crank was not disassembled, considering the space between webs/counterweights is 1.0625" and the distance in from their edge is approvimately 2" to the weld center.

Besides the significant access constraint, wouldn't the intense heat generated during the welding process have detremental affects on the rod needle-bearings?

My friend Jeff brought up a good point when he was looking at my 903 crank to consider welding it. He said any weld would add weight to that section though very small at high revs it would be multiplied greatly possibly causing failure of some components. It was agreed it has to be welded piece by piece as it is reassembled. That makes me wonder if this one was that way. 
Steve
 

daveo wrote:

Like to expand on my previous crankshaft assembly post, with emphasis on the welding work... 

Link below:
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/618672-cranks...tion?start=12#881849

I recently acquired this ZX1100A crankshaft off ebay, where I spotted it three auction cycles before placing a bid...and nobody else did. 
It apparently received a lot of attention around the time my oldest son was blowing out diapers in the late 1980's or so.  The weld quality looks pretty good to my untrained eye.  

I am seeking member input relative to the welding process, skill level needed, and the time it would take to produce a weld like this:

The process is TIG, those welds were sweated in using very little filler rod if any. You can tell by the 'fish eye' left at the end of the weld. A good welder can finish the bead with virtually no fish eye. It would take maybe 10 minutes to complete those two welds.


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