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Worst Case Scenario - Chrome Cylinders?

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LonerDave:
I'll start out by admitting that I'm one cheap SOB, and that this question is mostly about money.

I realize that the chrome lining of the cylinders in my 850-T is likely to flake at some point, and all sorts of terrible things can happen when the chrome bits start circulating through the motor.  So far, I've seen no evidence of sparkley bits in the oil sump, so believe that the linings are currently OK.  But also believe that chrome flaking is a probable (but not certain?) event.  Then again, I've heard some say that their chrome cylinders are fine after thousands and thousands of miles. (Especially if the bike isn't allowed to sit, which this one doesn't.)

On the one hand, getting the Gilardoni kits now seems like the prudent thing to do.  About $800 for kits and gaskets and I could do it now during winter.  But that's some serious coin to me.

On the other hand, if I wait for the failure, repair costs will be higher ($800 for jugs/pistons plus whatever else gets trashed).

So my question is, what can I expect repair costs to be if at some point in the future the chrome lets go? 

Here's the dilemma in equation form:

$800 = P X C, where P is the probability of chrome failure and C is the cost of the more extensive repair.

I'd do the work myself, so labor isn't a factor.

Can anyone help me solve for either P or C?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

father guzzi obrian:
A different motor will likely be your cheapest option once the chrome goes....

Chuck in Indiana:

--- Quote from: father guzzi obrian on December 13, 2013, 10:41:02 AM ---A different motor will likely be your cheapest option once the chrome goes....

--- End quote ---

What the good father says.  ;D I *have* heard of chrome bores holding up for a long time if used regularly. I've seen what happens when the chrome lets go. It's not pretty. Takes out the bearings, crank, rocker pins, oil pump... you get the picture. I'm a cheap barstid, too.. but I wouldn't take that roll of the dice. ;)

acogoff:
     Sounds like you are at the point where, for piece of mind, you should at least pull the heads off and have a look at things and figure out what to do from there. Look for not so obvious dark pin holes down the bore as well as the flaking at the bore top.

bobdar:
You need data to assess "P".  Here's one data point:  1974 build 850T (no oil filter) with ~22K miles, zero run time from 1984 to 2006 (kids), and used sparingly since (bad hips).  No damage or noticable degradation.

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