Cylinder Pt.1

When people think about motors, they think about pistons and spark plugs and carburetors.  The same applies when they visit the zoo.  The lions get all the attention - so much so that nobody thinks about how awesome the cage is.  People trust it, and forget about it.

With the BSA, the "cage" is a cast iron (rusts in 20 minutes), heavy as f**k, finned piece of frustrating motor meat.  Here's what I've had to do so far:

My old +0.020 cylinders were warped, so I got a new/used one ($90). They required being acid dipped to remove all old impurities ($35).  They required being bored out to a perfect +0.020 measurement to match the AWESOME hepolite +20 pistons ($90).  They required a full rub down with a scotch pad and a thorough cleaning with baby wipes.  They required a homemade ceramic paint job ($10).

All in all, it was $225 to replace the cylinders to a beauty.  My other option was to use my existing cylinders, bore them out and get new +40 pistons and rings.  It sounds like it might have been easier to do do it that way, but a) I would have spent $90 for a bore anyway.  b) new QUALITY pistons are about $400.  c) New +40 rings are $100.  d) I'd still have to refinish everything.

SO, had I used my original cylinder, I'd have spent $600.  I fixed it for $225.  I'm smart.