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Nikasil coating on iron barrels

Submitted by julian_wells on Sun, 30/07/2017
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Nortons - General

Has anyone experimented with Nikasil plating on iron cylinder barrels?

Although this is normally a finish for alloy cylinders (viz, Ducati, Moto Guzzi) it is possible to use it on iron cylinders/liners and Langcourt in Weston-super-Mare (http://www.langcourt.com/page29.html) claim to have been the first to do this.

Julian

Submitted by julian_wells on Mon, 31/07/2017

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Interesting; following the link in my original message gets me a page at http://freeresultsguide.com/ which includes the words "langcourt.com" but is clearly not the real Langcourt web-site.

Previously Barry Carson wrote:

my virus checker has flagged that site as a malicious site. strange i dont get it with the link below.

correction - its something to do with ( searchmagnified.com ) before the link thats the problem .

http://www.langcourt.com/page29.html

Submitted by david_evans on Mon, 31/07/2017

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I know that in the UK, Laystall engineering in Wolverhampton do silicon carbide impregnating of cylinder bores. It costs about £35 a bore. I had my Commando barrels done a couple of years ago as the cost of new barrels is high. They should last forever nowWink

Submitted by julian_wells on Mon, 31/07/2017

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David,

Thanks for this info, and implied recommendation;you refer to "silicon carbide impregnating" -- as I understand it Nikasil is a plating process (that's how Langcourt describe it), so are we talking about the same thing, or two different routes to the same end, namely getting a ceramic surface on the cylinder bore?

Also, as I'm in London, does anyone have any suggestions about potential suppliers nearer the Smoke?

Julian

Previously david_evans wrote:

I know that in the UK, Laystall engineering in Wolverhampton do silicon carbide impregnating of cylinder bores. It costs about £35 a bore. I had my Commando barrels done a couple of years ago as the cost of new barrels is high. They should last forever nowWink

Submitted by andrew_mackenzie on Mon, 31/07/2017

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Julian,

Not a London company, but it would be worth contacting Poeton in Gloucester, if only for advice. This is a long established, experienced surface coating specialist company with aerospace approvals and it would certainly be worth getting their opinion on the best option for you.

Regards,

Andy

Submitted by julian_wells on Tue, 01/08/2017

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Thanks to Andy for note about Poeton; they come up on Google searches, so it is good to have this independent recommendation.

I meant to ask David what pistons and rings he uses; it's not self-evident that what works with cast iron will work with something else, but if standard piston/ring options aren't suitable it obviously makes the project more complex.

Julian

Submitted by Xanna_jeannett… on Tue, 01/08/2017

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Hello Not a good idea and here's why Nikasil coatinghas a hard time bonding to cast iron sleeved barrels and you cannot use chromed piston rings like you do with cast iron barrels, that why they use alloy barrels and special black iron rings now do have fun with this yours anna j

Submitted by david_evans on Tue, 01/08/2017

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Hi Julian. The Nikasil is a plating process and is generally used on alloy bores to good effect. Jaguar used it on some of their V8 engines. The Laystall engineering process involves some other technique, maybe rolling the compound into the surface under extreme pressure. "Bore tech" offer the same process or similar in the States despite Laystall saying they have the patent. With the silicon carbide process you use standard cast iron rings and during the initial bedding in some of the silicon carbide is transferred to the surface of the rings. I ran my new bores in, (1000 miles) then dismantled the barrels for the treatment. The compression is excellent and no blow by. If you have new bores I think it is a good way to ensure a long life. Jim Schmidt in the US thinks it is a good idea when running his long rods and short pistons to reduce the effects of piston tilt in the bore.

A friend of mine has recently bought a set of barrels for a BSA A65 (750cc) from the States in alloy with nicasil bores. (not fitted yet but not cheap)

 


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