I'm in the process of doing a top end on an 02 KX250. I purchased it in March and I have 20-25 hours of riding and Cross country racing on it. When I took the cylinder off I noticed there is a vertical scratch on the front of the cylinder wall, about 1 inch long. The scratch is just deep enough to feel. There is evidence of blow-by on the front of the piston, just below the rings, and a little on the side of the piston in front of the pin hole. The back of the piston is clean. The rings don't show any damage or clues as to how this may have happened.
I have heard and read conflicting information on how this should be handled. Some say ball hone it and go. Some say scotchbrite it and go. Some say it MUST be re-plated.
I'm not really sure what to do. I know I don't want to try to hone out the scratch, and that replating will be the only way to fix it correctly. But what I'd like to do is run the bike for the rest of the season, after I replace the piston and rings, and then have it replated when I do my next top end later this year.
Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.
I have heard and read conflicting information on how this should be handled. Some say ball hone it and go. Some say scotchbrite it and go. Some say it MUST be re-plated.
I'm not really sure what to do. I know I don't want to try to hone out the scratch, and that replating will be the only way to fix it correctly. But what I'd like to do is run the bike for the rest of the season, after I replace the piston and rings, and then have it replated when I do my next top end later this year.
Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.
