Crank centering

[Corey]

Hello all, I have recently installed new crank seals and crank bearings on my beloved '96 200. Before I split the cases to do this I took measurements of the clearance between left and right crankhalve-to-sidecase. One side was .043" and the other was .037". I now just installed the crank using the heat freeze method (worked beautifully). I now have a clearance of .026". I'm going to install the left side side case without the transmission installed just to see what the clearance is on that side. Is there a spec for this clearance? I use Cyclepedia for my manual and they don't talk about this anywhere. Is it absolutely critical to be dead-on centered? Obviously it was slightly off-center originally. Bike ran great though. Any help would be appreciated.

[rexemouse]

It's not critical. I've taken apart a lot of kdx engines and the cranks are never perfectly centered in the cases.

[Vossman]

Mine is closer to the right as that was the side I put in first. As long as it doesn’t bind you’ll be ok.

[Corey]

Ok thanks for your replies.