To Hone Or Not To Hone

[Steve83]

I'm rebuilding an '83, and I'm debating whether to hone the cylinders or not. There are no ridges at the top, and I can see faint crosshatch marks. The old rings are still well within specs. I've always de-glazed cylinders during a rebuild, but I've always installed new rings. At almost $200 for 4 sets of rings, I'll probably use the originals. The odometer reads 41K miles, but going by the condition of the carbs, and the stretched rear wheel hub, I'm thinking it's 141K.

Any suggestions?

Thanks, and I love this forum!

 

[AApple]

If yer runnin the same rings, in the same cylinders, I would not touch them at all. The used rings will have already seated into their particular cylinder...if you hone, or use a "dingleberry tree" in the cylinder, then the rings will have to try to re-seat....and may not ever do so.
I'd leave em just the way they are...look otay to me. :good:

 

[brianinpa]

What he said.

If you change the rings sure, but since you say you aren't, I wouldn't hone.

 

[ekvh]

I believe you can get rings listed for Honda autos that are the same, but much cheaper.

 

[mcgovern61]

The odometer reads 41K miles, but going by the condition of the carbs, and the stretched rear wheel hub, I'm thinking it's 141K.

Any suggestions?

There are some tell tale signs of higher mileage.....front cam shaft seals worn out and leaking, main bearings loose or signs of wear on the bearing surfaces. If you see any copper, they are beat!

 

[dan filipi]

Check the rod bearings and piston pins carefully since you have it open.
Seems these engines like to develop a knock.
Mine does and I'm not sure where it's coming from.

 

[dan filipi]

Also, I see a lot of reflection in that cylinder.
This tells me it's polished smooth. Not necessarily a deal breaker but I agree it's got over 100k miles.
Being an 83 engine (the best 1100 in the line up IMO) I would be inclined to hone and re-ring.
Just depends on what your plans are and if you want to sink the bucks into it.

To me used engines are not an option. I haven't had good luck that way so I'm biased in my opinions what to do with it.
Definitely a very good motor.

I have a used, what appears to be a low mileage 83 engine I'm going to swap into my runner.
This will be my last ditch effort at getting a good used engine. If there are problems with this one it's coming out and getting rebuilt.

 

[mcgovern61]

I can't help but think it is funny how we tend to get disappointed when we find out the engine has over 100K miles on it. 100,000 MILES on MOTORCYCLE ENGINES!!! :doh:

I know Goldwings are infamous for this kind of mileage (rightly so), it just tickles me when we have to actually WORK on the engine after some wear and tear! :smilie_happy:

 

[slabghost]

You're going to have a bundle in it putting it back together. I say hone and install new rings. And as mentioned. The knock? Get new rod and main bearings in there too. Be sure to lube the bearings when you install them. I'm going on the assumption that you are rebuilding so it will last another one or two hundred thousand miles? Check your oil pumps too and be sure all the oil and water passages are clear.

 

[joedrum]

hmmm a knock i didnt know that or drop it from my memory ....hmmmm as slab said really make sure the lower end is sound ...your open to see it all ...do so ...there are limitation on parts though so ...there doing everything in the parts deparment to kill these oldwings off ...criminal in my opinion ...to make something then provide no replacement parts or service ....i dont think much of this system of buisness

 

[mcgovern61]

Also, while it is open, check the clearances on the piston skirts. On my '81 engine which had over 169K miles on it (in the previous pictures) the piston skirts were worn down significantly (you can see the worn areas in that picture). My engine had several "knocks" and other noises. If you would like, check out my thread on my findings and it might help with your rebuild:

viewtopic.php?p=56923#p56923

 

[Steve83]

Thanks for all the great info and advice. The main and rod bearings are going to be replaced. The pistons cleaned up like new, and the crank looks good.

I bought a running '75 twenty years ago, and it had a terrible knocking sound which turned out to be the primary chain. I don't remember a spring-loaded tensioner in that engine like the 1100 has. It had 170k miles on it, and the rest of the internals were nearly like new.

I'm thinking now of going with new rings - might as well do it right if I'm doing it at all. If anybody knows of a source for reasonably priced rings, I'd be grateful!

 

[joedrum]

gee there is the sorce of the honda car rings but im not sure witch one it is

 

[mike in idaho]

Hastings chrome piston rings, a set on ebay right now:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hastings-Manufa ... es&vxp=mtr

 

[Steve83]

Sweet! I haven't seen any aftermarket internal engine parts for these, and Hastings is a great brand. Thanks! :clapping:

 

[DaveO430]

Just FYI

Hastings Part# for rings is 2C4901, listing is for a suzuki 96-02 1590cc esteem. G16kv,G16s, 1.6L

 

[Steve83]

Thanks, Dave! I've always used Hastings rings or car engines.

I love this forum!

 

[Steve83]

Picked up the Hastings rings locally for about $50, so I went ahead and honed the cylinders. The new main bearings should arrive in a day or so. Progress!

Honed, cleaned, and on the stand.

 

[dan filipi]

Great progress Steve!

Keep us updated how it's going on the assembly.
Not many guys doing what your doing so your rebuild is an interesting one.

 

[joedrum]

opcorn: :shock: :yes: :thanks: :headscratch: arty: :roll: :nea: :good: :blush: were all watching ...this will be great stuff