Dirt Bike Repair & Maintenance Forum

well, after reading about using oven cleaner to decarbonize power valves, i thoguht i would give it a try.

a little history,
bought a 2002 rm250 and dont know much about it, so i decided to put in a new top end.

i took the cylinder off and exhaust valve covers and it was a black oily mess in there, so i removed the power valve and used oven cleaner on everything. i let it sit about 15 mins or so and washed it all off.

i must say this stuff was awesome and everything is very clean.

well, there is a paddle looking piece to the power valve and it was bronze looking in color. i was thinking it might be some exotic metal or something. it got the over cleaner treatment too.

well, when i washed the parts off, everything looked great except for the paddle looking part to the valve. it pitted the metal real bad and is very rough now. i took some sand paper and sanded on it a little and was going to smooth it off.

when i started sanding on it, i noticed it wasnt brozen looking underneath...it looked more like aluminum. so im guessing the bronze was some type of coating.

questin is, i could use some 600 grit sand paper and smooth it all out and put it back together, but am thinking that coating must be on there for a reason. im thinking it might keep it gliding smooth, keeping carbon from sticking to it??? dont really know.

should i just polish it up with some 600 git paper and put it back together, or should i replace the part? i was looking at bikebandits and what sucks is that they dont sell just that part..you have to buy the assembly and it is 160 bucks.

here is a link to the part: http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmot...2-2002/o/m6590

what do you guys suggest. im kinda new to dirt bikes..especially 2 strokes. i dont want to put it al back together and have the valve stick or seize up and they have to tear it all down again.

whew, i hope i can even get the valve back together. looks pretty complicated. wish me luck.

thanks,
rob