I have a 86 trx 250R and was wondering if the Nikasil would be worth the money or not. Any advantages disadvantages??

Thanks alot

 

In its August '99 issue, ATV Sport did a great article on Nikasil. Nikasil is a cylinder coating. With Nikasil (ATV Sport calls it NiCaSil), you will never have to bore to an oversize when you need a top-end rebuild. So this means that you only need to change the piston and rings. Sounds good and it isn't terribly expensive; ATV Sport was charged $150 per cylinder (the tested a Banshee).

 

Has anyone had any first-hand experience with this. I would really appreciate all the input i can get.

 

I had a 98 CR250R which has a NiKaSil coated cylinder. I leaned it out and shattered the piston inside, then proceeded to kick it over about 30 times before conceeding the fact is was pooched and wasn't going to run. When I pulled the jug off there was some slight scoring but nothing near what should have been expected. The piston was in countless pieces and the cases had to be split to properly clean the debris out. Overall the NiKaSil is strong. The scoring on the piston wall could very well have been melted aluminum from the piston. Turns out Muiratic Acid will eat the aluminum away and leave the cylinder coating in place.

Yes it is strong. No you don't need to go to a larger piston when you rebuild, but if you do damage the cylinder walls it is very expensive to re-coat. The choice is yours - you know what they say... Pay me now or pay me later.


Brian