i'm reading and watching and reading and watch and reading up on replacing the pistons. looks like i need to hone the cylinders or have them honed for a 45 degree or as close as possible cross hatch.

any tips here? warnings? open to all knowledge, i know nothing here.

 

General Info...
If someone is just doing a "glaze break", like for just re-ringing an "internal combustion engine", you could do that at "home" (depending on someone's home ), But not for "proper" Honing after boring (or even significant material removal honing (no boring))...You need to be "Equipped" (eg. Rigid Hone (manual or machine), Torque Plates (optional, but not for any performance work) etc.

 

Yes when installing new pistons and rings you need to hone otherwise the rings will never seat in.
Have an engine building shop do it rather than any old machine shop.
the most important part is seating in the new rings in the first hundred miles, the honeing acts like a file to wear down the rings so they seal properly, don't baby it when breaking in or you will have a lazy oil using motor for life.

 

thank you

yes sir. i'm just trying to ensure that the new pistons go in smoothly, so glaze break. so definite yes on honing. so now its shop vs home.

• if shop, dealer/engine shop like hotlap says, what to expect $ and time wise, realistic estimate of time so i can bargain.
  
• if home, what to do? i see a flex hone ball arm thing, a big tri harm hone like i have for smaller stuff and use on the dyna brake lever. either of those good?

given my propensity to ham fist stuff, how easy is it to FUBAR a hone job and end up having to call Dan for 1275 cylinders?

 

Really? I learn so much more about engines from these experts than I ever have building Sportsters for 30 years.










If you happen to think there may be more than one way, here is the option to ponder, one you can do in your garage and end up with a better ring seal surface than any rigid hone will accomplish. Provided you clearance is in spec.


http://www.brushresearch.com/flex-ho...Tx_hoCQ9Lw_wcB

 

Bring me up to speed...

Are you getting used cylinders with used bores? Are you using your existing cylinders?

.

 

using the existing 1200 cylinders

 

What we're getting at is WHY are you replacing the pistons? What problems are you trying to resolve? Have you checked the bore for size and taper?

 

Are you trying to buy STD pistons to put in your STD bore? or getting oversize pistons/rings

 

yes i saw this this earlier this morning while trying to understand: