A small triangular piece of Niksail flaked off my cylinder at the top of the bore in the "west" location (cam chain side). The cylinder had maybe 10 hours on it.

What would cause this? The plating looks extremely thin to me.

Is it possible that this is a manufacturing defect - "weak spot" in the plating?

There is no sign that anything went through the motor.

I see no piston ring or piston damage.

Is OEM Nikasil reliable for high HP applications, i.e. greater than 3HP per cubic inch?

I'm hoping that this isn't the 3rd weakest link, the other two being clutch slippage and head sealing.

 

sounds like a bad cylinder