New Cylinders

[Shadyapex]

Well, I pulled the cylinders off my spiffed up T3 this afternoon preparatory to installing the big bore nikasils that Curtis sent me. The old bores look to be in good shape and since this bike has such an unknown history I'm wondering what the linings are. The odometer says about 69K but who knows if it's the original clock.
The bores are not at all shiny, no flaking, no cross hatch pattern, a little duller toward the bottom of the stroke than the top, no significant lip at the top of the bore. No magnetic attraction, but then again I can't get a magnet to like the new nikasils either. No attraction that I can notice in either case.
Love to hear any thoughts on identifying what these bores are although I suspect that they're the original chrome. The base gasket has clearly been in place for a long time as it's pretty baked on and the o-rings are a little crispy fried.
Been riding a fair amount and still love the bike. Can't wait to see how it pulls the high passes around here with a little extra displacement.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Must be a weak magnet. Even my $1.49 harware store pencil magnet will stick to Nikasil.

If there's no hone marks and the magnet doesn't stick, they're chrome. Nikasil cylinders will have hone marks even at very high mileage. If they were iron liners the magnet would stick very well.

[Shadyapex]

Well, my magnet may well be weak, it's probably 25 years old but sticks well to anything obviously ferrous. As there are no hone marks and no other reasonable signs of replacement I agree that the old cylinders are probably chrome. Anyway I'm psyched to replace them and not have to worry about flaking linings. And I'm psyched on the extra torque I'll get from the big bore kit as well. Now just have to finish scraping off the old base gaskets. Seems to be the biggest part of the job at this point.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Aerosol gasket remover will make short work of that job. Just don't get it on paint you don't want removed, too..  ;)

[Perazzimx14]

Aerosol gasket remover will make short work of that job. Just don't get it on paint you don't want removed, too..  ;)

Aerosol gasket removers of old would remove the gasket. But the new environmentally friendly stuff has the same effect as soaking the gasket in water. Loctite (gasket chisel) is one of the only companies I could find that still make good gasket remover but its $30 a can and nobody carries it locally. If you read the MSDS the same active ingredient ( methylene chloride) in Loctite gasket chisel is the same as in aircraft paint stripper available at any auto parts store for a lot less. Get yourself a quart of the brush on gel type aircraft paint striper and a few flux brushes and in short order the gasket will be no more.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Aerosol gasket removers of old would remove the gasket. But the new environmentally friendly stuff has the same effect as soaking the gasket in water. Loctite (gasket chisel) is one of the only companies I could find that still make good gasket remover but its $30 a can and nobody carries it locally. If you read the MSDS the same active ingredient ( methylene chloride) in Loctite gasket chisel is the same as in aircraft paint stripper available at any auto parts store for a lot less. Get yourself a quart of the brush on gel type aircraft paint striper and a few flux brushes and in short order the gasket will be no more.

My old can of gasket remover is <sigh> old, too. It's about empty, so I guess I'll use stripper. Thanks for saving me a few bux.

[Shadyapex]

Thanks guys, I had forgotten about the gasket removers. I'll try the paint stripper.

[NCAmother]

Just curious, what kind of compression ratio will you have with the oversized jugs?  Thanks,
Nate

[Shadyapex]

Another question. I've got every manual I've been able to find and still can't find a ring end gap spec. for the nikasil big bore cylinders. Anyone know?

[Shadyapex]

Another question. I've got every manual I've been able to find and still can't find a ring end gap spec. for the nikasil big bore cylinders. Anyone know?

Sorry, but I'm afraid I don't know what the compression will be. Should probably give Curtis a call to find out.

[acogoff]

     Be advised that the use of methylene chloride on aluminum can cause a phenomena called hydrogen embrittlement --- don't think it is a serious consideration though- just use sparingly and rinse thoroughly. The aircraft stuff is the one you want, not the wally world special.

[rodekyll]

The aircraft stuff is made for aluminum.   A quart lasts a long time.  Be careful none of the gel drips into the engine.  Use in a well vented area.  Keep away from mom at all costs!   :wife:

[Shadyapex]

Found the ring end gap spec. And the paint remover worked wonders!

[Perazzimx14]

The aircraft stuff is made for aluminum.   A quart lasts a long time.  Be careful none of the gel drips into the engine.  Use in a well vented area.  Keep away from mom at all costs!   :wife:

It also works wonders on removing carbon deposits. Handy for cleaning up heads and piston domes.  Brush it on and watch the carbon turn to black ooze.

Found the ring end gap spec. And the paint remover worked wonders!

 ;-T 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Cures Nerualgia, Lumbago, night sweats..  ;D

[Shadyapex]

Cures Nerualgia, Lumbago, night sweats..  ;D

Is this magic cure-all the big bore kit or the paint stripper?

[Shadyapex]

Vroom, vroom! Finished the cylinder replacement this afternoon and I have to say I'm pretty pleased. I think the exhaust note is a little throatier and it pulls nicely on the steep hills around here. Thanks, guys, for the paint stripper tip. It's been so long since I did any engine work that I had completely forgotten about gasket remover, long enough ago that the gasket remover I used to use actually worked. I also took the opportunity to attend to little details like cleaning the petcocks and replacing the fuel filters and rusted header flanges. Of note; there weren't any header gaskets installed. Didn't seem to leak but I was happy to put some in none the less.
Once again I find that this bike was pretty sloppily put together. I love the tank and seat and the paint job and everything seems in good shape, just looks like it was built in a hurry with whatever he had around.
I'll get it sorted out one thing at a time, front suspension and head bearings are next I think.