Going to take head off next week and do a little "cleaning". Also thought about doing a little shaving to get 11:1 ratio and keep stock flat top piston.
What cc is combustion chamber?
What is average deck heigth and valve clearance?
Will shaving cylinder hurt NiCaSil?
Why should I not do this?

My BAJA will probably never see major porting, cams, or monster carb due to trail riding. Flat pistons are supposed to be more efficient because of squish band and shaving is a whole lot cheaper. Especially since I am in Tool & Die work.

 

DO NOT SHAVE ANYTHING!!!!!! You will have a ton of issues!!!! Just spent the 200.00 and get a Higer compression piston! You will be much happier and a lot less grief and not so time consuming. TRUST ME on this one!!! Everyone else will agree with me!!

 

what is wrong with shaving the head???

 

Punisher, what are the most common problems? Can they be avoided if you are extra careful and not too "greedy"?

Hey, were you the one I read about whos piston hit the head, then spaced the cylinder back up and lost compression? If not, Id like to talk to them but I can find the thread, it was only last week i think.

 

You just have to be extra careful with your measurements is all. You will have to check your piston to valve clearance and keep it at .080 ANd the only way you can check all that is to put your engine back together with modeling clay on your piston crank your engine over a few times by hand and then check the thickness of the clay. I t is just to big a pain in the arsh to mess with! It is easier to just buy the piston for $200.00 bucks and pop it in. You have to replace the base gasket no matter what you do because when you pull the head it drops oil and coolant down the stay bolts and contaminates the base gasket. So anyway you look at it you have to pull the cylinder. Just take the cylinder to a proffessional bike place and have them put a lite Nikasil hone on it. They will probably only charge you $20.00. It really is a time consuming process, so if time is what you have I guess go ahead and pay ATTENTION to what you are doing, and you will probably be allright. The real reason I don't like to shave the head is because If something were to happen like a seat dropping out or something coming loose and smacking up my combustion chamber and head. This sucks!! Then you have to weld in the spots and mill it. That is were the problem lies! Say you had already shavew .005 or.010 of the head and something busts loose and messes it up! Then you have to shave another .005 to .010 off then you run into piston to valve clearance issues! And the only way to correct that is to shave the deck on your cylinder! It really isn't worth the headache and downtime and Especially money!!! Trust Me!!! But if you decide to go ahead and do it Good Luck to you and be careful.