rotrax
Well-Known Member
I reeckon that it's made from the cheese alloy first popularised by Honda in the 1970's.
Richard
The metals required for precision die casting of engine cases are totaly different to those used in sand castings.
The Honda die castings you talk about were-and are-actually very good and are certainly fit for purpose.
Look at a sixty year old Honda from California, good as new after all this time. Hot, dry atmosphere, stuff stays good.
Will not be the same as one from the UK where we chuck rock salt on the roads which causes vehicles and parts to corrode and in the case of alloy castings become cosmetically unsightly.
BMW have been using die castings for years now. Recently they have had problems with the surface coatings failing, causing corrosion.
In the mid 70's, when disc brakes became available on motorbikes I was part of an industry wide forum to try to resolve the problem of disc brake lag in the wet.
A senior Japanese executive did not recognise any problem. He stated, with religous conviction:-
"Motorcycle leisure activity-when rain, take bus, take car, take taxi, dont ride motorbike in rain, very dangerous........................"
So, as you see, not meant for the wet. Considering this, they survive remarkably well!