KDXRIDER.NET

My '05 200 has been running bad the last couple rides - less power, reluctance to idle. I checked the compression and it was 120, so I took it apart tonight. On the top edge of the exhaust port there is an area about 2mm tall al the way across the top of the port that seems to have the Nikasil coating gone. It appears to be worn away. The worn area is the color of the aluminum cylinder underneath (not the dark gray of the coating). I can also definately feel it with my finger.

Does this cylinder need to be recoated? If so, what are my options? Does RB do this?

I would think that any plating missing above the ports would need to be replated.

Others could probably chime in about the best place to send your cylinder. Good luck.

replate...heard best stories from langcourt customers

http://www.langcourt.com

Has anyone heard of millenium technologies? They re-plate and also have an exchange program (if they have your make in stock).

http://www.mt-llc.com/index.html

I have heard of them..and it was good..but I don't remember from whom and when/how/what/why.

Now...isn't that helpful!!??

So far the best referrals have been to use Langcourt and Millenium. The most common NEGATIVE referral was with US Chrome, so I will definately stay away from them.

Millenium has a cylinder exchange program if they have your type in stock. Their website said they have about 2000 re-plated cylinders on hand, 200 of those being dirt bike cylinders. I'll know the scoop Monday morning and let you know how it turns out.

My engine is apart and ready to ship. There was also wear on the bottom edge of the exhaust port and on the edges of a couple other small side ports.

Maybe I should go ahead and send my head and carb to RB at the same time.

pics?
+1 on the rb

jc, you will be mighty pleased with what Ron Black does with your carb and head.

Searching around the net and other boards it seems the three most liked platers are:

PowerSeal
Langcourt
Millenium Technologies

Hopefully MT will have a KDX cylinder that I can exchange. If not I will probably use whichever of these can turn it around the fastest.

The US Chrome mentions were some bad and some good. Not good odds. With my luck I would get a bad one.

I think the problem with US CHROME is that they think it should only take so much of a vaporized rod and they stop there or they are getting in a hurry and have the heat settings wrong and it splatters the material instread of having a nice controlled burn.

If it doesn't do the job the first time they say it's a porous jug. Screw them... that's not quality regardless of what they THINK!

I wound up going with PowerSeal. The guy I talked to is a 200 rider (KTM200, but atleast he's a dirt biker). They said right now their turn around is about 6 days. They have an expidited service for an extra $70 that would have had it done in 3 days. I decided to save my money and apply it towards the RB head mod. PowerSeal is really popular on KTMTalk. They said I could send a piston or not send one. If a piston is not sent they finish the bore size to OEM specs. Hope it works out. I told them I would be using a standard Wiseco piston. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I almost went with Millenium. They were very friendly and helpful also.