Hi All-
I’m back in the airhead game after a number of years away, closed a great deal on an ‘81 R65. From what I can tell, ‘81 was the first year of the nikasil cylinders for this model. The odometer states 38k, but cannot verify those all accurate (hoping it isn’t 138k). This is my first airhead with nikasil cylinders. The bike has not been used since 2012.
My question- how durable is the nikasil plating, especially after 38 years, and with the bike sitting for 7 years? With my other project airheads, an over-bore was always necessary due to either miles or from sitting too long. Before I open it up, any feedback on what I might find given reasonable service over the years? Has nikasil cylinder plating been reliable and trouble free?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tom
I’m back in the airhead game after a number of years away, closed a great deal on an ‘81 R65. From what I can tell, ‘81 was the first year of the nikasil cylinders for this model. The odometer states 38k, but cannot verify those all accurate (hoping it isn’t 138k). This is my first airhead with nikasil cylinders. The bike has not been used since 2012.
My question- how durable is the nikasil plating, especially after 38 years, and with the bike sitting for 7 years? With my other project airheads, an over-bore was always necessary due to either miles or from sitting too long. Before I open it up, any feedback on what I might find given reasonable service over the years? Has nikasil cylinder plating been reliable and trouble free?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tom