Subject: RE: Installing Nikasil's and redoing top end
Author: Rob Prins
Date: Aug 11, 2005, 1:00 PM
Post ID: 1719284225
Tom,
So far (2 engines) I've sent mine out. Moto International has a labor
charge of a couple hundred bucks or so for doing a pair, plus parts cost
should you need anything (probably guides at least). With round-trip
shipping from VA plus a bit of fin rebuilding for both sets, plus the
required new head parts and reworked tappets I ended up spending just
under $500 a pair.
If you decide to ship anywhere I strongly recommend spending an hour to
build a custom shipping crate and request that the crate be saved and
used for return shipping as well. You can save yourself about $15 by
putting your custom shipping crate into a cardboard box so that UPS
doesn't ding you for a "non-standard" container.
Rob
Tom Christian wrote:
I'm going to be installing a Nikasil (850 replacement, not big bore) kit in my '74 Eldo this winter, and I'm thinking I should go ahead and get the whole "top-end done". The bikes mileage is unknown, but I'm guessing between 50-75k. Nothing leaks. Some oil blow by. So far I've been doing a rolling rebuild on this bike. I've had the motor out to diagnose a tranny problem, repaired and reshimmed the tranny, and fixed up most of the externals;, controls, cables, brakes, carbs, and existing wiring, did the alternator conversion, and removed the heads to check the chrome on piston tops (they were fine, but I want to do the Nikasil's anyway). I don't have machine tools, so I'm prepared to draw the DIY line there. This is all new territory for me, but I'm surmising I can probably install the cylinders/pistons myself, but should probably have the heads done (new valves, guides, etc.?) by a qualified machinist that knows loopframes. I live in Southern MD (western shore). Does anyone have a recommendation that's close by, or maybe I should just ship them out to Mark E., or is this work I can do myself? I'm sure its not a straight answer, but opinions welcome. Thanks, -tom |