how can i clean the top of the piston?

[ELKARACING_SHEE]

my left piston is full of carbon on top, and its kinda bubbly, or something

 

that is a pic of what it looks like. How can i clean that safely? i mean not to do any damage to the piston, or scratch it. Any help is greatly appricated

[madjimmax]

Unless you completely disassemble the top end I dont think I would try that on the bike. I wouldnt want that shit getting between the piston and the cylinder it will sit on the ring and could scratch the shit out of your cylinder. It will probably fall in your water jackets and could clog a core in your radiator. But if you must do it I would say do it with a wire brush and a shopvac. Just be easy with the brush and make sure the shop vac is on at all times so you are sucking up everything as it comes off. If it was me I would just take off the cylinders pull off the pistons and clean everything up. Just take your time and remember that when doing engine work always make sure bike and work area is always clean, sand and bearings dont get along at all. Good luck Bro and let us know everything turn out

[ELKARACING_SHEE]

thanks, but i dont think im going to take the cylinders apart. I have a shop vac, and where the radiator wholes in the cylinders, i have stuck paper towel in there, in which nothing can go in there

[So Cal Suspension]

Butter dissolves carbon, I hear.

 

 

 

[Vintage Smoke]

Butter dissolves carbon, I hear.

 

Are you serious....or am I totally naive?

[ELKARACING_SHEE]

Are you serious....or am I totally naive?

dont mind him hes a little fucked in the head lol

[So Cal Suspension]

Haha, Elka knows all about using butter on banshees.

[Vintage Smoke]

Haha, Elka knows all about using butter on banshees.

 

Well in that case laquer thinner works very well. It really soaks into the carbon. A little elbow grease with a scotchbrite pad along with the thinner will really clean things up. The thinner softens it up very well. You are taking chances cleaning it up while the cylinders are still in place though. If the head is already off it will only cost you a set of base gaskets to be able to clean everything up right.

[jbooker82]

Ethrie way I would have pulled the drain bolts out of the side of the cylinders so antifreeze didnt get spilled down into the crank case.

[Larry's Shee]

Sea Foam also disolves carbon , less flamable, doesn't evaporate as quickly.

Edited August 23, 2010 by Larry's Shee

[madjimmax]

thanks, but i dont think im going to take the cylinders apart. I have a shop vac, and where the radiator wholes in the cylinders, i have stuck paper towel in there, in which nothing can go in there

 

Bro its your ride and its whatever you want to do, But I'll just say that unless your willing to take care of your shit the right way. Its only ever going to be shit, you got yourself a nice bike and you should do your best to take care of it and it will take care of you. It would be 8 nuts and a base gasket come on elka dont half ass it you will only regret it later IMO.

[doorslammer]

why did you remove the head in the first place?

and what type of oil do you use?

 

and dont clean them in the cylinders, i've never heard of such a stupid idea.

remove the pistons and use a wirewheel/wire brush.

[DiSkOe*1]

are those big bore? look lil close to threads to be standard bore...

DiSkOe*1

[banshee67]

why bother? it dosent make any difference plus ithere is always the chance of getting that crap in the motor itself