08 XB12 Pistons, stock or aftermarket?

[Dellinger]

I chipped the bottom edge of one of my pistons wile working on the bike the other day. It's a $100 fix if I go stock. Not liking how easily the stock piston broke I'm considering replacing both with better ones. If I'm over thinking this feel free to say so' if not give your educated opinion... Stock bore and compression only!

 

[Sirius815]

I've never messed with pistons, but I wouldn't think that they should break easily...then again, depending on how it fell and landed (I'm assuming it fell) it is possible to chip it.

There's a few aftermarket options available, all of which are likely lighter and possibly stronger than stock. I don't know the cost in comparison to stock, but if I do one (even stock) I'd do both.

 

[Dellinger]

I plan on doing both. It broke when I was turning the crank to get top dead center to remove the rear head. The crank spun on me when the weight of the rods on down stroke took off and smacked the edge of the cyl on the case. no damage to anything but the piston.
Note to self...
Take off the piston before working on the next head...
I hope I never have to do this again but I have a rod bearing failure that is getting fixed by a good local shop plus a serious once over of all internals. I don't have the space, patients, money or the 50+ specialty tools to do crank work. She'll be better than new when done. Keeping the cost down by taking it apart and giving them the bottom end only.. HD wanted the hole bike and said $3500 for starters could be in my future. Now that's some BS!

 

[Dellinger]

Forgot to mention I'm getting the primary cover and oil pump housing powder coated to match the frame in the graphite...

 

[WIGGLE2]

The stock piston will be fine. They are fragile pieces for the most part. IIRC, they (stock) are hypereutectic pistons. No need to re-engineer the wheel here. Now....MAYBE someone like Hammer or Rev has an aftermarket for less money, IDK. You may want to have a machine shop run a ball hone thru the cylinders. Wash them real good when you get them back. Ride it like a 'new' bike for about 3-500 miles and you'll be good.

 

[WIGGLE2]

HD wanted the hole bike and said $3500 for starters could be in my future. Now that's some BS!

Have a Suzuki shop price out what it costs to do a blowed up 750 Gixxer! May as well buy a new bike! Bike had less than 6K on it...one cam follower bucket shattered, (and it was a KNOWN issue). They told him to buy a junkyard engine. Talk about BS........

 

[gbalias]

big end or wrist pin end failure?


neither is too common. would also inspect oil pump while its apart

 

[WIGGLE2]

neither is too common. would also inspect oil pump while its apart

[up]
Great advise. Somehow clean the swingarm, lines and cooler as well. I'd think this is common knowledge, but I had better mention it. There WILL be metal in there that must be cleaned up or you wind up pumping it all back through what you've just done. Yes....there's a filter...but! It has to go through the pump and all before it GETS to the filter!

 

[dmp0001]

I wouldn't bother with aftermarket pistons unless there was at least a compression increase. Unless they are close in price and forged.

 

[UMDterp13]

Use a 9 piston

 

[Dellinger]

I was with the mechanic today when he pulled the cams, toast! The hard coat is gone. the crank pin is toast as well.The rod bearing went. The oil pump housing was fine, they inspected it and gave it a clean bill of health. I'm getting a better idea about cost tomorrow. Surdyke.com has the cams for $318 and they already said the crank was no biggie at around $400 total and a month lead time. As long as no bigger issues come up this will be better than new when its all done.
After market pistons are out of the question at this point. I just don't want to have to sell it off as parts.

 

[Dellinger]

Everything is fine except what was already noted but the shaft bearing. Still in budget. I guess I'll have to wait to do a Firebolt front end swap...

 

[IronChip]

Dellinger, I am in the process of rebuilding my XB12SCG due to a worn front connecting rod, and I've been talking to Dan at Hammer Performance a bit to see what upgrades make sense. Hammer has a 1250 big bore kit with the pistons and cylinders for around $600. Those pistons are lighter and stronger than stock, with a better dome angle. You'll need software to remap the ECM for the new fuel ratio, which will add a little more money, but it sounds like a good deal.

 

[Dellinger]

I already went with new stock pistons mainly to save money with the rebuild that gets bigger by the day. I have a EBR race ecm so reflash isn't going to work. This is an every day bike and I work 490 miles away in Las Vegas from time to time, mpg and overall reliability a must.
I need a cylinder as well. The metal shavings were making some nice groves in the front cyl, rear is fine. I'm going stock. surdyke.com sent the pistons today. The mechanic needs their weights so he can send the crank to Revolution Performance to do the work.