KDXRIDER.NET

No cheating!! Whadd'ya think?

I dunno, true! Now I have to look it up!

Don't tell!!

I'm asking a 'general' knowledge question, no research or vetting required, just what ya'll think.

electrowhatic?

ExACTly!

is it false>>

For the record, I voted False, but only because no one else had done so yet

I have not a clue though

i also voted false but i dont really know anything about it....

Don't everybody jump on the 'I have no clue so I'll hit<X>' bandwagon.

IF you think you know, or have always thought something or other, or have figured it one way or t'other...say so.

How's that?

BTW..from http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0857941.html:

The electrolytic process requires that an electrolyte, an ionized solution or molten metallic salt, complete an electric circuit between two electrodes. When the electrodes are connected to a source of direct current one, called the cathode, becomes negatively (-) charged while the other, called the anode, becomes positively (+) charged. The positive ions in the electrolyte will move toward the cathode and the negatively charged ions toward the anode. This migration of ions through the electrolyte constitutes the electric current in that part of the circuit. The migration of electrons into the anode, through the wiring and an electric generator, and then back to the cathode constitutes the current in the external circuit.

Like chrome plating? Like powder coating? Like anything of the sort having to do with electricalicity.

I voted true since the name Kawasaki associates with their coating would seem to indicate an electric current passing through an electrolytic solution. But again I may be fooled!

P.S. CC - see I don't have you on my ignore list because then I would miss out on all this trivia and word play.

EDIT - So Mister smarty pants Brad - how does Kawaski or any other plater ONLY plate the inside of the cylinder and not the ports and exterior portions of the cylinder if the cylinder is sitting in an bath of electrolytic solution??

Ignore list?

Who would you ever ignore around here?

hello.... hello... HELLLLOOOO?!...

I thought I remember back in the early 80's that they put a rod in the center of the cylinder and then turned some insane voltage on, which caused the rod vaporize and transfer and fuse into the surface of the cylinder. Not true?

From what I've seen in my cylinder I think it is painted on with a hammer. The only electricty bein used at Kawi was for keeping the saki cold. I voted NO.

I voted true. Why, because it was the first choice. My understanding of this is limited to the following facts:

1. However it's done...it works.

2. If the Cylinder measures with in spec. and has no "flaking, or other damage", it's good to go.

3. If it's out of spec. or damaged:
A. Replace it with a new OEM.
B. Send it off to a chromer/plater for repair.
C. Find a used Cyl. that is in spec.
D. Have it Sleeved

Beyond that, for me...knowing how they do it is merely information for informational purposes.

No one said sitz in a bath....

Har har...thassa joke......

I have no clue about any of it...and didn't intend the question to show myself erudite on plating. I have been curious about Kawi's process and not until recently heard anything of note about it. Since I did recently hear something interesting I figured I'd share...

Of course, I'll find sometime after this that what I read/heard is bogus....

Re: Rods and insanity...

Don't know about that. I'm (quite) sure there is electricity involved somehow. The question has to do with it being a classicly defined plating process...or not.

I found good FAQ site for Nikasil, let me know if I should post it.

Post as you wish. Nikasil isn't related to electrofusion.

Open a new thread.

Now that the poll is running 50/50 'ya gotta wonder who's stirring the pot.


From an email from Langcourt:

Langcourt wrote:Our process is different from the electro-fusion process that Kawasaki uses. Electro-fusion is not an electrolytic process, and no company other than Kawasaki uses it.

Emphasis is mine.

I have always assumed electrofusion was..of COURSE...an electrolytic process. Langcourt says it is not. Of course, that doesn't say what type of rod electrocution insanity it IS, but it's not electrolytic.

'Thar 'ya go.

Ahh, nevermind, I had it in my head that that Kawi used Nikasil, back to my corner I go.

Electrolytic to me implys some sort of conductive/ionic bath. Electro-fusion sounds more like an open air and heat based process, interesting.

That's part of the reason I asked the question.

Electrofusion is often confused with nickel silicon plating. Well, 'confused' with meaning I've heard more than one rider refer to them as the same thing. They aren't. Lots of folks use nickel silicon for plating. Nikasil is a tradmarked name for a process using that material.

Langcourt, btw, does use nickel silicon, too. So does USChrome.

From the same email referenced above:

Langcourt wrote:Essentially the plating that we apply is the same that US Chrome uses, although there may be some differences in the make up. It is a nickel silicon carbide plating that is very similar to Nicasil â, however Nicasil â is a trade name that can only be used by its manufacturers. Most high performance engine manufacturers have selected nickel silicon carbide for their bore surfaces.