Difazio - R65 tune-ups

[steve hawkins]

I have met the proprieter at a motorbike show a couple of times and also at a ride out last year.  Nice chap that knows his onions.

Here is a link to his shop for interest:

http://difazio.co.uk/product.php?xProd=62&xSec=77

I draw you attention to the 750 and 850 versions of the R65 engine.  He uses lightwieght pistons to match a particular rebore size.  The make/type of piston is obviousely a closely guarded secret, otherwise we would all be doing it

The work is done in house and I am not sure of the cost......

[Ed Miller]

That would be fun, but I think I'll keep my nikisil lining.  

I know I spelled it wrong, but Firefox doesn't have any helpful suggestions.

[Altritter]

When researching the R65 before buying mine, I recall several web sites that addressed the question of performance-enhancing the R65. The consensus seemed to be that it's an iffy proposition. Several times I saw a phrase that seems to have been a mantra at the time: "If you want a faster bike, buy a faster bike." Otherwise, I have no basis for evaluating this particular enhancement.

Ed Miller wrote: << That would be fun, but I think I'll keep my nikisil lining. >>

Ed, you mentioned that you couldn't find the correct spelling. I recall seeing somewhere during the same search (one of Noemi Berry's articles, maybe) that it's "Nikasil." I've never seen it anywhere other than in the web pages discussing R65 changes the bike's production life.

[scuba]

Nikasil was introduced by Mahle 1967 and it was predominantly developed for rotary engines (NSU RO80 and C111) to allow apex seals to slide directly against aluminum housing with low friction. Nikasil is elestrodeposited oleophilic nickel matrix silicon carbide coating for engine parts. This allowes aluminum cylinders and pistons to slide against each other almost without friction and very large cylinder bores with tight tolerances and thus allowed existing engine designs to be expanded easily.

[steve hawkins]

One of the problems with the web - is that once something has been written it is there for ever - there are some very peculiar 'facts' out there.  I have also read much of what has been written and it is clear that some people have had issues.  But I have also talked to many that have also disputed these 'facts' and run hopped up R65's.  Don't beleive all that you read.....you have no idea what the true story is....

What is obvious is that if you tune any bike for more power - you will compromise both reliability and longevity.  One step too far and you will blow up your bike - it is knowing where that step is and stopping short of it, that is the key.

And if you are tuning to race - then all bets are off!  As with any motor.

Cheers