allflatblack
Plastic
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2014
Hey guys,
I have been casually reading the forum for a few years and finally have a project that I am considering.
I restore vintage motorcycles and finally got my hands on a set of BSA B50 race bikes that I have been lusting over for years. These are early 70’s Big single cylinder bikes that are pretty rare. As I started to go through the parts I had, I noticed that the cylinders included were pretty ratty, scored inside and missing fins. The only replacement parts are used, and very expensive, with the best option to buy a good used cylinder and then press in a new Cast iron sleeve and bore and hone to size.
I had recently done some work with some engines that use aluminum bores with nikasil linings and have heard nothing but praise for this modern practice: tighter clearances, incredibly long bore life and better cooling and weight. I noticed a few companies that manufacture cylinders for vintage air cooled Porsche's out of 6061 Aluminum and then send them out to be matched to pistons and nikasil plated by Millennium Technologies. I have been thinking about the feasibility of doing this myself. I have one good cylinder. I could have it dimensioned and drawn up in solidworks by a drafting expert and then offered out for machining complete from 6061. Millennium technologies says that they would finish the final bore and match it to the piston and plate. I believe that there would be a demand for this product, albeit small, a couple runs of ten or so, but it is an interesting thing to ponder. Currently there are several people who will re-sleeve with aluminum and then get the unit plated for a door to door price of close to $500. I am curious if there are any experts who might have an opinion on this concept and any advice.
John
Velocity Industries LLC New jersey
I have been casually reading the forum for a few years and finally have a project that I am considering.
I restore vintage motorcycles and finally got my hands on a set of BSA B50 race bikes that I have been lusting over for years. These are early 70’s Big single cylinder bikes that are pretty rare. As I started to go through the parts I had, I noticed that the cylinders included were pretty ratty, scored inside and missing fins. The only replacement parts are used, and very expensive, with the best option to buy a good used cylinder and then press in a new Cast iron sleeve and bore and hone to size.
I had recently done some work with some engines that use aluminum bores with nikasil linings and have heard nothing but praise for this modern practice: tighter clearances, incredibly long bore life and better cooling and weight. I noticed a few companies that manufacture cylinders for vintage air cooled Porsche's out of 6061 Aluminum and then send them out to be matched to pistons and nikasil plated by Millennium Technologies. I have been thinking about the feasibility of doing this myself. I have one good cylinder. I could have it dimensioned and drawn up in solidworks by a drafting expert and then offered out for machining complete from 6061. Millennium technologies says that they would finish the final bore and match it to the piston and plate. I believe that there would be a demand for this product, albeit small, a couple runs of ten or so, but it is an interesting thing to ponder. Currently there are several people who will re-sleeve with aluminum and then get the unit plated for a door to door price of close to $500. I am curious if there are any experts who might have an opinion on this concept and any advice.
John
Velocity Industries LLC New jersey