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Author Topic: Run In after new rings  (Read 2637 times)

balibeemer

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Run In after new rings
« on: March 01, 2009, 09:44:50 PM »
I have just installed new piston rings on my '86 R 65 ( Nikasil lined barrels) How many km should I run in the engine and what is the max RPM to which I can go?

Offline Justin B.

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Re: Run In after new rings
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2009, 10:04:29 PM »
I looked through my monoshock owners manual and couldn't find any mention of a recommended break-in routine.  The rule of thumb I've always followed was to not rev too high, vary speed/rpm while cruising, and most importantly don't lug the engine.
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Offline steve hawkins

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Re: Run In after new rings
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2009, 04:05:48 AM »
Make sure you are running dino oil and not full synth - otherwise they will never bed in.....or so I have heard...

As Justin says, run the engine in the sweet spot, do not allow it to labour in too high a gear and do not yet thrash it to within an inch of its life for about 6-800 km....

You should be able to sleep easy then.
Steve Hawkins R100 (that wants to be an R65)

Offline Ed Miller

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Re: Run In after new rings
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2009, 02:45:32 PM »
The guy (Steve Prokop in Dundee, Oregon) who redid my cylinder heads told me to start the bike, immediately rev it to about 4,000 rpms, and hold it there with one hand on a cylinder.  When the cylinder gets too hot to touch, shut the bike off and get your gear on.  Head out for a good 20 mile or more ride.  Use different rpms but avoid letting it idle and especially don't lug the motor.  I don't remember that he listed any maximum rpm, but I probably went as high as 6,000 after several miles.  This would have been in 3rd or 4th, probably.  The emphasis seems to be on varying the rpms.  This is a lot easier to do if you can find a place with no traffic and certainly no police to pull you over for driving erratically!

It worked great.  It seemed to seat the rings right away, and I did not hone the cylinders.  I could still see the original hone marks in my nykasil and they still worked.  My bike had about 60,000 miles on it at that time.  Steve said it didn't matter what oil I used, but I didn't use synthetic mostly because you have to change it out after 50 miles or something like that.  
Ed Miller
'81 r65
Falls City, OR

Offline steve hawkins

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Re: Run In after new rings
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2009, 04:33:04 AM »
There are more theories out there than there are bikes.
Steve Hawkins R100 (that wants to be an R65)

Offline Ed Miller

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Re: Run In after new rings
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2009, 11:54:33 AM »
Quote
There are more theories out there than there are bikes.

That's for sure.  It would almost be easier to examine every case of how somebody's new rings did NOT seat, and then just don't do what he/she did.  I bet idling right away is a common one.  But the other reason for the variety of methods is the differences between bore material and ring material and hone grit, and I don't know what else.  
Ed Miller
'81 r65
Falls City, OR

Offline MrRiden

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Re: Run In after new rings
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2009, 06:12:46 PM »
Hone? Ed did you say hone?
rich
preparing a favorite rant  ;D
"We can't stop here. This is bat country".

balibeemer

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Re: Run In after new rings
« Reply #7 on: March 04, 2009, 06:38:28 AM »
Quote
This is a lot easier to do if you can find a place with no traffic and certainly no police to pull you over for driving erratically!
Police pull me over for erratic driving? Here, they only pull you over for normal driving!

Offline Ed Miller

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Re: Run In after new rings
« Reply #8 on: March 04, 2009, 02:46:50 PM »
Quote
Hone? Ed did you say hone?
rich
preparing a favorite rant  ;D

Please don't do it!   ;D

Ed Miller
'81 r65
Falls City, OR