Magnesium cases?

[Daz Max]

Fitted the new XR600 engine today and noticed the valves & valve springs are totally different to my original engine,also the cases on both sides are stamped Honda Japan,Magnesium.
Any one know when this dates it to?

[todd5774]

Think that makes the cases to around 88, but those engines had dual carb/intake ports, so maybe yours is a hybrid engine or one that has had work done to the head to make it single intake.

The only way to make sure is to take the engine no and contact dvla to find out the year.

or try posting this on thumpertalk as i see you on there sometimes.

[kempouk]

1988 was when they went to single carb, i got an 88 single carb but it does have the magnesium bit on the casing.

[Daz Max]

Cheers guys.It's been rebuilt,so its probably that then.
I think I'll swop my ali casing over from the old lump,as am I right in thinking magnesium is light, but brittle?

[kempouk]

Cheers guys.It's been rebuilt,so its probably that then.
I think I'll swop my ali casing over from the old lump,as am I right in thinking magnesium is light, but brittle?

well mine has been on the go for 22 years and there isn't nowt wrong with it yet

[Daz Max]

Fair point!