My neighbor has an 03 blaster that he bought for $900, he doesnt have internet yet where he lives so he has no way of making an account on here. I was listening to when he kicked it over and it was making a loud knocking sound, i figured it wasnt the piston caue this was sounding like it was coming from the crankcase, I thought it might be a lower rod bearing? i told him i would let him know if that would be the case... btw, it is totally stock, stock jetting, stock filter, stock exhaust, all except the handguards...but yea, the motor is stock! I'm guessing the rod has too much up and down play, it would probably be cheaper to tear it down and replace the bearings and seals and use a stock stroke hot rods crank (he has no meanings of modding it out). He blew up his LT500R today on the road and i had to pull him back and the blaster is just a play toy for him....thanks again for everything on here!!