CR250 Crank Journal

Send it to CrankWorks in AZ. They just repaired a similar issue with an '82 CR250 crank I sent them. While it was there I also had them replace the big end bearing and install a new rod. Good to go now.

Don't get too concerned if it is a sliding fit, with no play. Use some red loctite and it will be fine.

Journal can be fixed as mentioned above by sending it to be hard welded and ground back down for the press fit to the main bearing. It differs per bike but usually only one side is a press fit (left side for Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki) while Kawi did have a press fit on both journals. I believe that if the crank had excessive runout it wears the journal over time but sometimes, it could just be a bad crank from the factory.

I’ve read a slip fit is actually good.

Drive side was often slip fit and tightened by the primary gear nut to stop the inner race rotating against the journal but allow simpler assembly.

Tight fit on the magneto side usually.

A slip fit on the magneto side will eventually develop radial play (up and down play).