Boring a motorcycle cylinder Yamaha 360MX

[@jimmymckay73]

Two of my favorite types of content old bikes and maching. Sweet. Subscribed.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hey thanks for the Sub Jimmy. Right on brother, my exact thoughts too, the two go together like bread and butter. Thanks for stopping by.

[@troyledbetter6597]

Those MX360s are rockets! The low end and mid range aren’t much, but from mid to redline man we were hauling! We were also 135lb teenagers too! Great project Dale!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thats for sure, and yes when I was racing this machine in the 73-74 range, I was 135lbs also, and fearless to boot.

[@RobertBradshaw-u2f]

Another beautiful job from the MASTER!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thank you, your too kind.

[@douglasmeeker360]

Nice to see this one clean-up nearly perfect. I was thinking the same thing about the "monster ports" too. They are large and plentiful. Great to see the camaraderie here and can appreciate your nod to some of the other shop guys. I also enjoy reading through the comments and your replies. Lots of useful information and insight there too. Keep up the good work. Doug.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Doug, yes, I am lucky for most folks that comment on here are very nice and also have some great tips and tricks that I never thought of. It's all about helping each other, rather than cutting each other down. There just is no need for that with all the negativity in the world already. It's nice to go somewhere where everyone has common interest and are adults. Again, it's great to see others doing videos that are common to my stuff, I watch a lot of KZbin and enjoy seeing how others are dealing with the same issues. No one loses on KZbin, everyone gains. The more folks that put together videos the more content there is to watch. We need that because there is absolutely nothing to watch on TV any longer. Thanks for hanging out in the shop with me.

[@douglasmeeker360]

@@montana2strokeracer You're absolutely right about You Tube vs. TV. Nothing worth watching except maybe the Motor Trend channel. There is a lot of shared knowledge on just about every subject here. I think the bad eggs will come and go, but the real enthusiasts will stay on track.

[@jamessharp9790]

Nice work Dale - that’s a cast piston though, yes? Because I put 2.5 thousandths on my Rm250C2 for a forged piston.

[@donbridgewater2988]

Great work Dale, I really like watching you do your work. Thanks for the shout out!!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Don, enjoy doing this stuff, it's my fun. You bet, been enjoying your videos also.

[@donbridgewater2988]

@@montana2strokeracer, thank you sir!!!

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Another great job Dale, another classic saved. Thanks for the kind words my friend. Best wishes, Dean.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks, buddy, yes indeed another saved, you are quite welcome, as you have done the same for me. No one's a looser on KZbin, we all win by supporting each other.

[@JohnnieBravo1]

Hey Dale; thank you for the shoutout! I am considering putting a slight "scratch bore" on my old '58 Norton 650 Nomad cylinder sometime soon. Watching you and your boring techniques (pun totally intended), I may try your setup and bore procedure. Just wish I had that nice honing machine you have. Cheers buddy!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hey Johnnie, sounds like a great next video, man I sure enjoyed your work on the Triumph, top shelf my friend. Living where you do, you should be able to find an old Sunnen bench top, those were in every filling station repair shop in this country at one time. I picked mine up used with most of the mandrels, since then have picked up more mandrels. Think I have most of what I need now. Sunnen still has all the stones for these old machines at a reasonable price. I don't like using it with this large of cylinder but I am working on a work holding jig so I can use a handheld ridged Sunnen hone which will be easier to control than working that big cylinder. My brain is always thinking........glad to have my health and enjoy being busy. I think you're the same my friend. Not a bad place to be.

[@johnb5519]

Great job. Another one brought back to life.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks John, for the fun of it.

[@wayneknodel3347]

Jusr like racing, you never know how it ends until you cross the finish line! I was rooting for you all the way! And sometimes, lt never hurts to have a little luck!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Right on Wayne, had a lucky day with this one for sure.

[@gregslair4278]

Howdy Dale. Great job as always. Always fun to watch, very interesting and informative. Now if I had a mill, I'd probably make a round hole square 🙂

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hey Greg, no man you don't give yourself enough credit. You do some fine work over on your channel. Leave the square holes to me. LOL

[@gregslair4278]

@@montana2strokeracer Thank you Dale. I've been busting my ass to get outside house things done before winter (just about done), then I can get back to my bikes. Oh, if you have a source for that ferrule I need for the oil pump (tc-125), please share, I cannot find one.

[@jamesws3]

Great work as always. A creative process in a too long for your machine bore. Keep 'em coming!!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Jim, sometimes you just have to make it work, I sure real machinists have better tricks though.

[@petermckee1061]

The cylinder's come up beautifully Dale. A lovely job. Cheers, Peter.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Peter, appreciate you hanging out with me.

[@petermckee1061]

@@montana2strokeracer Always a pleasure mate.

[@2strokeguru]

Thank you Dale for the shout out

[@montana2strokeracer]

Your welcome buddy, thanks for all the help

[@ragnarironspear1791]

Beautiful work

[@bigmurr725]

Thanks Dale , Keep up the Great work .

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Murray

[@wallyarent6548]

Thanks Dale Great stuff

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks for hanging out with me Wally.

[@markaddy53]

grate job as always dale ild be happy running that should be sweet keep up the great work next video please

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Mark, yeah not worried about it at all, got to save what you can.

[@johnyoung3103]

Another great video Dale. Seems an expert can get great results even from Chinese machinery.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Ah yes, but Jet is Taiwanese not China. I made sure of it before I purchased, big difference in quality.

[@davidleland8729]

Nice work Dale! That's a pretty impressive piece of equipment you have there. I still sub out some of the cylinder work to the machine shop that handled my engine work. He's got alot of work in house so it does take a bit longer to get the engines done.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Dave, bet you could find a nice used machine down there and learn to do your own work. It's mostly just common since. Some math involved! LOL. It's about the fun of doing it for me. I use these machines almost every day.

[@davidleland8729]

I plan to check out Harbor Freight, Grainger and Military Surplus to see what's out there. It's on my to do list for next week. Also need to make some room for it as well.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Room is certainly my issue. I understand for sure.

[@davidleland8729]

Good morning Dale, I decided to order a TM807A boring and honing machine thru AMCO on line. It should be here in 2 to 3 weeks. I think this was the best choice.

[@montana2strokeracer]

I have looked at those, let me know how it works for you.

[@bigmurr725]

PS Thanks for the shout out Dale !!!

[@montana2strokeracer]

You bet, hope you get your channel going again, if I can help with editing or just point you in the right directions don't hesitate to call.

[@cainbeeping8480]

Good job Dale.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks buddy.

[@TiggerTitu-wo1bj]

Hey, thanks for that biggmurr725 channel. I am a pilot, instructor, and aircraft mechanic too, so that's extra interesting for me! When you give channel references like that, please show them written--> makes it easier in some cases. Say, what do you use in your cleaning tank now that we can no longer afford, or even find the good mineral spirits?? Nice video as always; it will be good to hear the flat tracker run. Gonna turn a few laps?? Take care, Robert

[@montana2strokeracer]

I'm not computer literate enough to copy more than one at a time and paste it. That would have taken me a couple hours to do. I use mineral spirits, it's about 65.00 for 5 gallons at my local lumber yard. Made by Kwik strip, I think. Low odor and works as good as anything I have used. I just bought new stuff about 6 months ago, it usually lasts me a couple years, but I do drain and clean the tank once a year. Yeah, I was a missile pilot in the USAF for 21 years, life underground wears on you. Glad to be above ground, for the time being anyway.

[@TiggerTitu-wo1bj]

Hi. No, I meant just write it on paper and show on camera like you have done before. Personally, I don't like "neutered" (low odor) mineral spirits. I really want to make one of those vapor-honing (blasting) cabinets. Man, it makes aluminum look better than new!! Have a look at it Dale. Thanks, Robert

[@montana2strokeracer]

@TiggerTitu-wo1bj they have the regular mineral spirits for about 5.00 less. I just don't like breathing that stuff.

[@frankdillon6127]

scoot over Cain, im here! lets get to work!

[@montana2strokeracer]

That Cain is always hogging the seats, he's an early bird.

[@customgaragemoto7590]

Thank you 👍👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks buddy, sure appreciate you watching.

[@davidnelson6893]

Yes that hard job Peace out

[@azlandpilotcar4450]

Just found this channel by accident. Good to see you. Does Fort Worth ever cross your mind? Cheers!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hey Dave, how's it going. Long time no see.

[@lawerncemiller6557]

I would have thought you would have wanted another thousands or so more piston clearance with that big of a bore

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hey Lawernce, yes, I thought so too, I got the spec's straight from the 1972 360 MX supplement. They called for .0018 I went to .002 it just seems better to me. Most of the 125's and 175's spec out at .0016 to .0018. With standard cast pistons, forged would be more clearance.

[@zxspectum]

Hi, just stumbled on your channel, quick question, is it technically ok to bore the single cylinders on a lathe, setup might be harder in getting the cylinder on centre etc. Only my mill does not have much travel and no auto feed. Secondly being a metric guy what is your piston to cylinder clearance tolerances, looking the manual for my 350 its really high at 0.0026" to 0.0028", so that is measuring in the 0.0001 inch range or 0.001 mm range. Looking at your bore gauge I think its measuring in 0.001"?

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hey Erik, sure thing, I have bored many cylinders on my lathe, usually those under 2 inches. They do take more time to set up, I usually make an adapter to bolt it to or modify one I already have. But these days I use the milling machine more and more for those, I just bored a Yamaha 90cc twin which the bores measured 1.45 inches. I have a video on it using a 3-inch boring head and a 3/4-inch boring bar. The cylinder to piston clearances are different for just about each application, also the measuring point on the piston skirt also differs from model to model, unless you are using aftermarket pistons then I use their spec's. All my bore gauges measure in ten thousands (.0001). All my measuring equipment is in imperial, so I convert metric spec's to imperial before I start my bore.

[@yz250a]

Springfield Mile is coming up this weekend. Are you going?

[@montana2strokeracer]

I wish man, the Springfield mile is an awesome track, haven't been there in years. I will watch it on AFT when it released.

[@HKCNC1]

Thank you for the video I got a question why don't you use Cylinder boring bar like a kwik way ?

[@montana2strokeracer]

You're welcome, good question, it boils down to money. Used Kwik way if you can get one with a full tool kit, goes for around 5000.00 plus, used, especially for the smaller model for small motorcycle cylinders, a new Winona Van Norman model runs almost 8000.00 plus shipping. The only thing these boring bars do is bore, they are a one trick pony. I bought this new Jet milling machine for just a couple thousand more shipped to my door. It bores well, not as easy as the Kwik way, but good enough for the maybe 30 bores I do a year, and most cylinders I bore are less than 5 inches, so I don't have to do this procedure hardly ever, maybe 3 or 4 times a year. But the milling machine does so much more as far as fabrication goes. I do a lot more machine type work than I do boring. Much more cost effective for me. If your boring hundreds of cylinders a year, I could see the need for one. Around here.....the boring bar would set in the corner collecting dust more than being used.

[@HKCNC1]

Yes I agree with you , in my case I do small engine repair and sometimes motorcycles so I bought Kwik way boring bar it's very easy to work with and I have enough room to put Small Engine under it much faster than using my CNC Bridgeport milling machine I use my milling machine for small bore diameter parts and my boring bar for the cylinders only I can bore from 2.69'' to 4.44'' With ease very simple to center it it's very fast , on my Bridgeport I don't have enough room to put the whole engine that's why I went with the boring bar

[@montana2strokeracer]

Yeah, it looks like it works for you, If I was to use boring bars, I would need two, the one you have and the smaller model, don't remember the model number, but goes from 1 5/8 to 2 3/4 inch, I think. I am retired and not working production, so I am not concerned about speed. You probably need a spacer on your Bridgeport, I installed a 4 inch one on my Bridgeport, it sure helped with the boring operations, believe they are available to 8 inches. The new Jet mill that I got has about a 4-inch taller base, so it is about the same as my Bridgeport with the spacer. I have 4 cylinders waiting to bore they are tiny, 36.50mm or about 1.44 inches from a Yamaha twin 90cc, of course, the boring head will not go in them, so I think I will use the 3-inch head with a 3/4 bar about 4 1/2 inches long in the inboard hole. Could use the 2-inch head but a lot of defection from a 1/2 bar. We will see at the time. I used to use boring bars on car engines back in the day in my dad's shop. They are easy to setup for sure, but you need to be young and strong to get them where you need them. I'm sure you have the boring table for yours and don't need to move it about.

[@nightfly1985]

I have a dummy question. I have similar mill not Bridport noticed alot of them including mine has the M logo on the base ? Is it just same manufacturer for most mill logo and heads are different . What the origin of the M logo ?

[@montana2strokeracer]

As my dad always said, there are no dumb questions. From what I understand the "M" stands for Meehanite, it is a superior way of producing cast iron, that is more uniform and provides better machinability, among other benefits. The way I understand it, there are only about 5 manufactures that are licensed to pour it in the US, and about 15 in Taiwan. The Jet machine I have was manufactured in Taiwan, and it sounds like yours was too. The quality is better in Taiwan than in China. I hear it is a process that goes back to the early 1900's. I'm pretty sure having that "M" is a good thing.

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Made it

[@montana2strokeracer]

As I knew you would Dean, thanks buddy

[@yz250a]

Who did the porting on your cylinder?

[@montana2strokeracer]

That was done by K & N Yamaha in Tulsa back in 1974.

[@DaleWesley-d7i]

😉😉😉😉

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Dale

[@TiggerTitu-wo1bj]

Also Dale, when are you going to make a vapor-honing setup?? They are awesome!! Expensive to buy, but easy and reasonable to make... Robert

[@cainbeeping8480]

Here

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks buddy

[@Mariano.Bernacki]

Hey, do you do customer work or is all your personal vehicles? If you are not taking customers you must ride a lot to justify having these tools.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Yes, I do some outside work, but I am pretty selective about it. Do work for local guys because there is no one in town any longer doing this kind of stuff. Lots of aluminum welding, boring, crankshaft rebuilds, not to mention farm repairs and one-off fabrication. I really don't ride much any longer, my brain says twist it, my body hurts when I do. Just part of growing older, but still enjoy keeping busy and especially motorcycles. I don't justify anything I have, most of it is a lifetime of accumulation. I pick up bikes any chance I get and repair and sell them to supplement my retirement. No longer doing full restorations, because folks don't want to pay for your time and labor any longer. Just not worth the hassle trying to get paid. I always figured if I need a tool once, I will need it again. So, buy my own and leave the renting and borrowing to others. That way I know the tool is in top shape next time I need it. Some folks drink or buy new cars, I buy tools......and work with my hands, simple as that.

[@Mariano.Bernacki]

@@montana2strokeracer I'm sorry if I came across as judgemental, I am not a native speaker. I meant justify as in "pay for itself/be economical". Your money is yours to spend in whatever you want and you owe no explanations to anyone. What I intended to ask was "do you ride enough for these tools to make economic sense, or do you do external work". (which you answered) Again apologies for the misunderstanding and thank you for the detailed explanation, I also love having my own tools and will splurge on quality stuff even if I don't really use them enough to justify the price. Stay Awesome! Mariano

[@montana2strokeracer]

No Worries, Mariano, thanks for watching.