nickel

[michael]

What is the term for the cylinder heads that were made with nickel? Also what years were they used. Can one tell by looking at the cylinders?

[esman100]

It's called Nikasil and is a nickel carbide plating. The first year used, I believe, was 1981and not without problems. Their were reports of the plating lifting and I personally have an '81 cylinder with a spot that lifted. They did get the process perfected and I have a nice set on my '78 S bike. It's easy to distinguish the Nikasil from the sleeved cast iron with the heads removed as you will be able to see the sleeve.

[Major Softie]

Just to clarify: esman100's explanation is all correct, but I wanted to make sure you noticed that he was talking about cylinders, not heads. You asked about heads, but, like esman100, I presume you really are asking about the cylinders.

[Kurt in S.A.]

There was another process termed Galnikal. Similar results...processes by different companies.

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/cylinders.htm

Kurt in S.A.

[esman100]

Just to clarify: esman100's explanation is all correct, but I wanted to make sure you noticed that he was talking about cylinders, not heads. You asked about heads, but, like esman100, I presume you really are asking about the cylinders.

Thanks Major; I was refering to cylinders.

[michael]

Thanks to esman, major, and kurt. I do need to clarify: If my cylinders have Nikasil I will not see a sleeve in the cylinders? If they are Nikasil then they are probably not the original heads for a 1978R100/7.

[chasbmw]

Nikilsil cylinders are considered to be an Improvment. Can be used with earlier cylinder heads.

[Kurt in S.A.]

A /7 would have come stock with iron cylinders, so if they are Nikasil, then they're a replacement. I've heard that attempting to go 1st over on 1000cc cylinders can be problematic. The recommendations I've seen say to just go Nikasil at that point. So, that might be why a /7 would now have the '81-on cylinders.

Kurt in S.A.

[DanielMc]

Couple of years ago I stripped the barrels off a Mk 2 Le Mans with 55,000 miles on the clock - absolutely unmarked - they were nikasil coated.

[R90Steve]

Several of the platers are plating iron cylinders with nicasil now. Tom Cutter had built several bikes with them when I emailed him for information last spring. He said so far so good. This would be a great alternative for the pre 81 bikes.