Can I hone my Nicasil Tecate cylinder

[TecateDan]

SO my friend Fabiodriven found me a project 1985 Tecate but as many of us are these days I'm a little low on funds. The thing is all original and even has a lot of meat on the original tires so I know it has low hours. The Piston is currently stuck but I'm hoping that I can free it with a little soaking "currently underway" My question is can I hone the cylinder (I was thinking ball hone aluminum oxide 240 grit) and just get a new Piston and ring or am I going to need to send it out and have it re-nikasiled. Has anyone honed a Nikasil cylinder??? if so how did it work and what hone did you use.

[3Razors]

It depends on what you are trying to do. If you just want to lightly deglaze the cylinder then you can use a green scotchbrite pad and wd40. If you are trying to remove material then you will need a very expensive diamond hone. The factory plating is very thin so there is not much material that can be removed.

[mrcribbs]

I do exactly what 3Razors described but I use a red (maroon) scotchbrite pad and wd40 on my MX bikes, by hand, just to clean - not scratch or "hone".

[TecateDan]

I am assuming there will be some rust deposity most likely from the rusted piston ring stuck to the wall of the cylinder that I will need to remove.
and that you should cross hatch a cylinder when you install a new rings for them to seat properly. Are you using scoth brite before instalation of new rings??

[MTS]

If you Just need to clean it up and take the glaze off for a new set of rings....Assuming its in spec...Can get away with a -400 grit ball hone lightly....Only need a couple pass's.