Aluminum cylinders for flatheads

[trex]

Besides cost, is there a good reason no one makes aluminum cylinders for Flathead motors, Harley or Indian? Seems they would run cooler and be lighter.

[Pzokes]

If you want to make the mold, I will cast them.  You will still have to do the finish machining.  Yes, it would be a lot of work with a questionable/low demand.  There are reproduction items being cast up for WR's but they still race them. 

[ohio-rider]

How about theses?
http://www.flatlandmotorcyclecompany.com/prodview.asp?sku=4033

[Pzokes]

I thought that he was talking about aluminum cylinders, not aluminum heads.  There are a few people that manufacturer aluminum heads.  There are a few people that manufacture cast iron cylinders.

[ohio-rider]

Oops! My mistake, I engaged my mouth before my brain again. 

[trex]

If you want to make the mold, I will cast them.  You will still have to do the finish machining.  Yes, it would be a lot of work with a questionable/low demand.  There are reproduction items being cast up for WR's but they still race them.

I don't need any Pzokes, just curious why they were never made. Are you saying WR racers had aluminum cyliders?

[Pzokes]

No.

[shuswapkev]

alu cylinders???for flatheads...
the biggest problem flatheads have is controling the temperature between cylinder and exhaust valve...
your alu cylinders would be shelf ornaments before long...

[vic vasalino]

Has anyone checked out this site? www.knuckleheadmotoren.de
They are making a bunch of parts and include aluminum cylinders even have plans to make whole motors.It says they have bigger plans to put out complete bikes,if I read the site properly! What do you think of it?

[trex]

I think it's pretty cool.

[stroker800]

Vision grinding and Sorenson both make aluminum cylinders for shovels....My guess for others is cost and demand...but I believe there is problems with expansion......Mike Brown us grey iron for his cyls...Axtell uses ductile iron for hi

evo cyls to reduce growth.
Dave

[panic]

An aluminum flathead cylinder becomes a potato chip at full operating temperature - not a straight line to be found.