Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

Interesting read on sleeves

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2001KX5:
This is an article by Transworld Motocross about sleeve technology.

http://www.transworldmotocross.com/mx/features/article/0,13190,598355,00.html

Some text from the article:

    

--- Quote ---Mark let us in on some of the advantages of a sleeved cylinder vs. Nikasil-plated cylinders. "What's important about sleeves, is that they hold more compression than a Nikasil cylinder, because of the cross-hatches and the way the sleeve dissipates heat faster. The dirt trackers and flat trackers have been buying sleeves from us for the last 15-25 years?it's their secret. A lot of the Supermoto guys are starting to buy sleeves from us, because they're realizing they're getting 3-4 more horsepower with a sleeve than Nikasil."

"The only reason the factories are running Nikasil is because it's more cost-effective in production. They don't have to have it put in, The cylinder can go in and boom, it's ready. A sleeve has to be dropped in, and matched. The Nikasil was just another way to cut cost with the factories, and it is lighter than the sleeves."
--- End quote ---

It is an interesting read and it is centered around LA Sleeve.  I just figured I'd post it and probably start some kind of discussion since I have my cylinder at Eric Gorrs for sleeving and porting as we speak due to an extensive crack that was not repairable.

So the question I from this read is are plated cylinder industry hype and the cheapo out or  is it a superior technology.  My last KX250 was sleeved and I never had an issue and had lots of power on tap especially down low to mid range with  a decent top end.

metallicarebal:
I really don't know to much about the process but I have heard nothing but good things about sleeves. I had one put in my KX 100 last year when I had the motor rebuilt and never had a single problem with it. I wish now that I wouldn't have changed my gearing so I might have been able to notice a possible increase in power. All in all though I'd prefer a sleeve in my motor.

Timbowe:
Makes sense when ya think about it..

gowen:
While there is some truth to the article, I do not believe it is to be cost effective. Due to the fact that cylinders are not built with plate on them. You don't just throw it in the fire and boom it is done. A sleeve is like that though, I could just heat my cylinder up... Boom/line up. I'm done.

I dealt with sleeves for a long time and was relieved when I got my first Kawasaki. To be honest. My friends that raced hated sleeves, but used them because they could change the cylinders easily when locked up. That is the only advantage I knew about.

Call me a hard-ass, but I abuse the living shyte out of my cylinders and don't have any issues. Also, sleeves get hot and can cause seizures easier.

KXcam22:
I'm not sure which I like better but there are some things in the writeup that don't sound right to me. First, a steel liner can't transfer heat as quickly as plated aluminum, It's simply a property of the metal.  The crosshatch thing may be true but the coeffccient of friction is lower for nikasil than steel which should mean more HP and less heat. Just my 2 cents. Cam.

ps. In my locale I have to ship the cylinder 1000 miles to get replated but can get it bored down the street.

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