Sleeve press near reading

[Topcat]

Hey Guys,

Been trying to search for a decent engineering / machine shop near reading that would be able to press out a damaged sleeve and fit a new sleeve from another cylinder but can't seem to find anywhere, been phoning round and either they don't want to know or they've stopped offering this service.

Any recommendations?

Cheers
Topcat

[Bryanj]

What bike? Trouble is you cant guarantee proper alignment and seating with a used sleeve.

[Trigger]

Any company that says there can do this can not be trusted. As Bryan has said, it is a alignment problem. A piston is not round, more of a oval so, the piston will ware the sleeve to that shape. If you put another sleeve in and it is not spot on it will twist the rod as it is trying to find its shape.

You can move sleeves from one set of barrels to another as long as you re bore to a oversize 

[Topcat]

What bike? Trouble is you cant guarantee proper alignment and seating with a used sleeve.

It's a cb550f2 Basically a previous owner seems to have made a mess of the cylinder and head. So managed to source a new head and used cylinder, cylinder looks to be in pretty good condition the bottom of one sleeve which appears to be dented had I noticed this earlier I could have probably returned to seller but new baby and lots of stuff in boxes still I didn't manage to open it. The old cylinder sleeves seem to be in ok condition. I need to get a picture uploaded as it's right at the bottom so not entirely sure if its going to cause a problem. Will pop out later when I get a second.


Topcat

[Bryanj]

I havnt got any blocks to hand but from memory the top flange has a "flat" where the 2 liners adjoin.
Now if you find an over that you can use, NOT THE KITCHEN ONE, put the block in the oven  till hot and if you turn it upside down and tap on appropriate blocks the liners will come out.
On the good liners you need to find a way of marking them so they can be re fitted in the correct "hole" and in the correct orientation, this can not, obviously, be anything that deeply marks the gasket surface.
You SHOULD then have the block "decked" and rebored to suit oversize pistons and ensure the gasket surface is flat. You could, of course, do without those operations but that is not good engineering practice and a risk.

[Trigger]

No flat's on the 550 bryan, maybe you are thinking about the 400 

[matthewmosse]

I have probably got some barrels in need of a rebore or a good hone but not needing the sleeves moving across from one to another, if the damage on yours merits replacement. One less process to go through. Not 100% sure what bits I have where. Kids and house renovation put bikes on the back burner and then career change and job loss kept them there. I'm now clearing out the clutter so tons of bits have headed onto Ebay ( no cb500 or 550 stuff going that way, I want to get mine going)  but I am pretty sure cb550 barrels are something I can spare. There may even be a set with good pistons - hard to recall - I did have quite a stockpile as I bought up a fair few lots on Ebay etc over the years I was commuting on them.
First get pictures of yours up, they may be ok to use.... fingers crossed yours are ok.

[Topcat]

So managed to grab a quick pic so you can see what I'm talking about. I'm also just in the process of splitting the cases which seem to be fine on at the front but hanging up at the back in other places the little dowels have been rusted solid so I'm assuming something similar going on here.

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Cheers
Topcat

[Bryanj]

I would get that liner checked with a bore gauge as the inner still looks circular in the photo.

[Topcat]

I would get that liner checked with a bore gauge as the inner still looks circular in the photo.

Yeah I will get that checked and think you're right but would the dent at the bottom cause any problems/ interference?

Cheers
Paul

[Trigger]

Need more photo's but, a dent ! These liners will crack before you could put a dent in one. Could of been dropped but, need a few more pictures 

[Bryanj]

As long as the bore is round and the corrent size i would happily use them with the dent, the liner is thick and made of decent iron so i think it would be fine.

[Moorey]

Is that a crack in the aluminium by the dent or just a scratch.

[matthewmosse]

I also would just get it checked for roundness, the obvious distortion is out of the running area of the piston. Probably as a crude check, try a piston in there with no rings ( just easier ) and see if it has any constrictions in movement up, down twisting etc. Use some light oil and dont force it, I reckon that would give some idea of if it's out of round. The pistons are a fairly close fit.

[Seabeowner]

Try Howard engine specialist, Slough. 01753 525549.