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- A Visit to CrankChecker: Crankshaft Expertise Made in Bavaria
There are some names in the scooter scene that almost everyone knows—even if you’ve never actually met the person behind them. Christoph is definitely one of them. Many know him through Kingwelle, where he has been developing, manufacturing, and optimizing crankshafts for years. With CrankChecker, he has now embarked on a new path and is offering his expertise as an independent service.
Andreas from Scooter Center took the opportunity to visit Christoph at his workshop in Bavaria to find out exactly what CrankChecker is all about.
The idea for CrankChecker didn’t come overnight. Over the years, Christoph kept receiving the same requests:
“Can you check my crankshaft?”
“Can this connecting rod still be saved?”
“Can the balance factor be adjusted?”
He often had to turn them down because, alongside Kingwelle’s day-to-day business, he simply didn’t have the time. But the demand kept growing. At the same time, he realized that there were fewer and fewer specialists who were truly dedicated to crankshafts.
So he did the obvious thing: He created CrankChecker, a dedicated division focused precisely on these topics.
Anyone who listens to Christoph quickly realizes: Crankshafts are not just another component to him.
He has built, rebuilt, or aligned more than 10,000 crankshafts in recent years. Every move he makes is backed by a wealth of experience.
In his workshop, everything revolves around measuring, testing, optimizing, and repairing. Whether it’s a Vespa, Lambretta, motocross engine, or even a Harley-Davidson—if a crankshaft needs attention, CrankChecker is the place to go.
And it’s not always about defects. Many customers deliberately send their crankshafts in for inspection before any damage even occurs.
Hardly any other topic sparks as much discussion in the tuning scene as the balance factor. For Christoph, however, the matter is pretty clear:
There’s no such thing as the perfect value.
After all, what works for a high-revving race engine isn’t necessarily suitable for a street engine designed for touring. Piston weight, connecting rod length, displacement, RPM range, exhaust system, and many other factors all play a role.
That’s why consultation comes first at CrankChecker. Before making any changes, Christoph wants to know exactly how the engine is built and how the scooter will be used later on.
We found the many custom solutions developed in the workshop particularly exciting.
Here, they don’t just replace bearings or fix damage. Often, the goal is to specifically improve existing components. For example, a crankshaft’s resistance to twisting can be optimized, or an engine can be given exactly the characteristics the rider is looking for by adjusting the connecting rod length.
Unusual projects also regularly end up on the workbench. Everything is covered, from classic Vespa engines to wild custom builds.
A statement from Christoph is likely to surprise many:
Even a brand-new crankshaft isn’t automatically perfect.
Even minor deviations can later cause vibrations or unnecessary wear. That’s why he recommends inspecting new crankshafts before installation—especially for complex engine projects.
A small effort that can save a lot of trouble later on.
Our visit to CrankChecker has once again shown just how much expertise lies in the details. While many drivers focus primarily on the cylinders, exhaust, or carburetor, it’s often the crankshaft that determines how reliably and smoothly an engine will run later on.
With CrankChecker, Christoph has created a go-to resource that focuses precisely on that: precision, experience, and personalized advice.
Or to put it another way: Anyone who views their crankshaft as nothing more than two journal surfaces and a connecting rod should definitely have a chat with Christoph.
Thank you very much for your hospitality and the fascinating behind-the-scenes insights!
