Scooterotica

Not got an issue myself but was wondering what generally is the recognised life expectancy of a ceramic or Nicasil cylinder lining? Obviously running with/without an air filter will have a massive influence on this as would the infamous polish residue In stainless tanks fiasco.
Just interested and curious really.
Carry on...

Not very long when jetted incorrectly

This is quite interesting I think.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikasil

Good find Doom, cheers.

I have between 20 and 25000 miles on a malossi t5 barrel and it's still running fine. I've changed the piston 3 times and rings maybe more though mainly because the scooter gets harder to start from 5000 miles on where the rings get worn a bit. The piston wears too and gets a very polished look in places. The malossi barrel seems to have a big safety margin built in and the piston always makes noise whether new or worn. I run with a filter. I've no long term experience of any other nicasil barrels but I'd say they're all the same.

My guzzi has 160,000+ miles on the original bores. (One hundred sixty thousand miles)
Never run without air filters. Bores, pistons and rings fine and serviceable.

Guzzi original used Gilardoni* for the plating after using/having problems with chrome for a while. Around the early 80's guzzi developed their own proprietary method - a surprisingly small tank tucked away in a corner.
Called "Nigusil", just so there wouldn't be any confusion.

*Gilardoni I believe, do/did make cylinders for some scooter kits, they have a factory in Mandello del Lario, home of guzzi.

Quality of the 2 stroke oil used will effect the lifespan, Putoline MX5 has always been my prefered choice on kitted engines.