Nikasil replating on JD cylinders

[Chris Haynes]

A better copy of the '27 picture. I agree it could be plated. However its flat appearance made me think paint. Every restored machine I see with nickle cylinders is bright and polished in complete contrast to the flat cylinders.

[Steve Swan]

my humble understanding, the factory used electroless nickle, so the finish would be more or less dull, maybe satin at best...? however, as previously noted by Cotten, the appearance of factory electroless is different than today's electroless. and i must also say i am feeling a bit bad hijacking Jerry's thread because yes "moldthread" i DO know the difference between nickle plating and Nikisil coating. if we are going to continue our discussion, the courteous thing to do is start a new thread on H-D IoE twin cylinder finishes under the JD section.

[T. Cotten]

if we are going to continue our discussion, the courteous thing to do is start a new thread on H-D IoE twin cylinder finishes under the JD section.

Good idea, Steve!

...Since "electroless", as we know it today, wasn't invented yet.

A note on Nikasil, there were reports last decade that 'high-sulphur' and other fuels were an issue.

....Cotten

[exeric]

The commercial application of electroless nickel plating didn't occur until after WW2.

Watts nickel plating is basic nickel electro-plating. I copied this from the internet:

The original Watts bath provides a matte unrefined gray pitted appearance. The addition of just a few additives provide a ductile bright finish. The function of all the components is as follows: The nickel sulfate provides the proper concentration of nickel ions. The nickel metal content determines the limiting current density for obtaining good deposits. The nickel chloride increases the anode corrosion; it produces harder deposits and increases bath conductivity which allows you to use a lower voltage. The boric acid acts as a buffer for pH control making a whiter smoother more ductile deposit.

In speaking with a plater, he said Watts nickel is rarely done without the addition of 'brighteners' as that is what all of their customers want.

Sorry, I should have started a new thread. I can repost this if a new thread would be useful.

[Steve Swan]

i just opened a thread to continue our discussion of finishes on the outside of cylinders at - Technical Discussions Harley-DavidsonJ/JD Cylinder (outside) Finishes

[gharper]

I'd be interested to hear about this too. What I've looked into on the Nickaseal process, they cannot do blind cylinders, so pocket valve and early single piece Indian cylinders are out, too bad because it;s a great process.

gene

[Shaky Jake]

I'd be interested to hear about this too. What I've looked into on the Nickaseal process, they cannot do blind cylinders, so pocket valve and early single piece Indian cylinders are out, too bad because it;s a great process.

gene

Gene, I just had the bores of two Indian PowerPlus cylinders plated and bored by U S Chrome in Fondulac, WI. They are blind cylinders. It took a while because they are not used to working on old stuff and they were afraid to touch them at first. The bores look beautiful though, and they were able to fill in some pits and imperfections. Im not sure what the limits of their process are, but they took my cylinders from 3.147 inches to 3.125 inches. I intend to ask them how thick they can go, because I have some more cylinders that I want to take back to standard size. I haven't installed the plated cylinders yet, so I can't speak to performance or durability, but I will say that they look very good. They call their plating NiCom rather than Nicasil, I suspect it's similar but I can't say for sure. I think they do a lot of watercraft and dirt bikes, but Joe Walano (the Guzzi Doctor) uses them to replate Moto Guzzi cylinders. He referred me to them.

Sorry if I'm off topic, I'm a little unsure what this thread is about. If you want any more info, just let me know. Unfortunately I'm not at home, so I can't send pictures at this time.




Kevin

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[gharper]

Kevin,

Perfect, good to know! I have some X cylinders that need a lot of help!

Gene

[Ivor]

Hi Eric, What is chemical nickel ? Please.

[exeric]

Hi Eric, What is chemical nickel ? Please.

I've used the Caswell kit, and been very pleased with the results.

https://www.caswellplating.com/elect...ting-kits.html

[Ivor]

Thanks Eric, I'm not sure how to mask the valve guides and seats or the bores, but I will look into it tomorrow. Ivor.

[exeric]

When you contact Caswell, ask about a plating mask. A friend gave me some masking liquid that is brushed on the areas you want to mask. I have also seen electrical tape used on bolt, and screw threads.

[DanM]

Anybody ever have nikasil plating done on JD cylinders. Curious how it would work on them.

Jerry

In one of my Nuts and Bolts articles we discussed Millenium Technologies. ://www.millennium-tech.net/serviceInfo.php?id=1

The can plate up to .050 thick. They do hu dreds of cylinders a month. They said normally a truing of the cylinder, plate it back down, the finish hone. Its very hard so they said special diamond hones are used. The fellow i spoke with is an AMCA member with a Pope, familiar with the blind bore.