When is it time to replate or overhaul my cylinder?

You will know it's time to replate your engine when your barrel shows one or more of the following symptoms. (Some of these may seem obvious):

A large or considerable decrease in power.

Unusual noise(s) coming from the engine.

Piston has seized in cylinder (ie crankshaft won't turn).

Excessive black smoke coming from engine (implies rings and/or coating are excessively worn: i.e. tolerance between piston-rings and coating not to spec).

Rattling of the barrel's interior parts.

Piston sounds as if it is grinding on the cylinder's surface.

Your engine's cooling system works properly (water and coolant present in radiator) but engine still overheats.

Oil in oil sump turns white (implies that water has been added to the oil).

NOTE: If you have any other ways of telling if your engine is worn or damaged, please let us know, we'd be glad to hear your contributions.

How to get the most out of my cylinder?

Here are some simple guidelines which you should follow in order to get the most of your Nikadure™ coating.

NOTE: You may wish to read the section on hardness precipitation in the Technical Information section to get a better understanding of some of the steps outlined in the section below.

MAKE SURE YOU WARM THE ENGINE UP PRIOR TO FLOGGING IT

Ensure that you regularly check the oil level and quality of the oil. Replace the Oil Filter at regular intervals.

If your engine is water cooled, make sure that there is enough water in the radiator at regular intervals

Make sure that you use soft-faced rings. This is not only to comlpy with our Warranty but also to get a much prolonged lifespan of the coating.

Do not attempt to hand-polish or hand-hone the barrel.

How do I Prepare my barrel for Nikadure™ Plating?

The engine preparation for Nikadure™ plating is quite simple. If you do not want any fees added to the cost of plating your engine then just follow this simple procedure:

Send us the bare barrel only. Remove all studs, gaskets, bolts, drain plugs, locating pins, valves, push rods, and springs.

Tell us in advance if you want the barrel to be plated to standard size or to an oversized or undersized diameter.

Let us know if you will supply your own piston kit or whether you want us to purchase the piston kit for you. The prices we are able to provide you with are on average up to 15% cheaper than the price you would pay for the piston kit (depending on brand and size).

If your motorbike engine needs to be replated urgently tell us in advance. Make sure that you organise payment in advance and method of return postage. Within Australia, the fastest method is to pay by Australia Post's Money Order or with a valid Credit Card. Also when sending us the barrel include a self-addressed Australia Post Express Post bag which costs around $8.75 and can allow for items up to 3KG. Australia Post's Cash On Delivery postage service normally takes two to three days to arrive at the place of destination. In most urgent cases,we are able to return the barrel within two to three days of receipt.

For even faster transactions become an Aurum Plating trusted customer and receive an account with our company. Customers with accounts receive credit in the shop and can pay with a delay of 30 days

Make sure that when sending the engine you include your contact details! We have received some engines where the customer has not included his address.

Attempt to wrap the engine with copious amounts of newspaper or bubble wrap.

For best results in tolerance the customer should send the piston with the engine (unless we supply the piston kit).

How do I run my engine in?

The process of running your engine in will differ from person to person. But the general idea is to take it slow before going fast. Just give the coating a little time to settle in. Remember the precipitation hardening process mentionned in the Technical Information section.

apply a film of oil to the piston, piston-rings and cylinder surface for easy assembly.

Do not tighten the head bolts while you have oil in the sump!! Add the oil after the engine has been completely assembled.

Once the barrel is assembled and replaced in the motorbike, start it up and let it idle for about 15 minutes.

Take your motorbike for a gentle joy ride before you take it to race track.