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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?

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.

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.

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

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/cylinders.htm

Kurt in S.A.

Major Softie wrote: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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.