i took the piston out of the barrel i cant get it in HELP

4wdingman · #1 09-20-2008, 03:38 AM

i took the piston out of the barrel to clean it now it wont go back in. The rings seem to have come loose to. Can anyone tell me what to do??

Caus-I-Can · #2 09-20-2008, 06:34 AM

The rings are designed to be bigger then the cylinder. you have to sqeeze them in as you insert them into the bore. (there should be a little guide pin in the ring channel where the the two ends of each ring should meet}

P.s. ideally should only take out cylinder when installing new rings.

**Bikeguy Joe** · #3 09-20-2008, 07:30 AM

Take your time, use some oil, it's not too hard.
Let us know how you do.

**Dave31** · #4 09-20-2008, 01:32 PM

They do make a tool called a ring compressor....but I have never needed to use one on small applications, I just use my fingers

Saddletramp1200 · #5 09-20-2008, 02:05 PM

Be careful you CAN cut your fingers if your not careful!

Egor · #6 09-20-2008, 03:18 PM

Caus-I-Can - said it all ( the pins in the piston ring slot ) if the ring ends are not at the pins you can not get the piston on. Have fun Dave

4wdingman · #7 09-22-2008, 04:19 AM

thanks for all the info I got both of them in but one ring broke

but i have ordered a new pair in.
Just wondering can you ride with just one??

Thanks

misteright1_99 · #8 09-22-2008, 06:50 AM

I wouldnt, the rings hold the piston away from the wall of the cylinder as well as provide a seal for compression. With only one ring the piston is going to "slap" against the cylinder wall, possibly scratching it, then scratched even with both rings installed your compression will be low because it is escaping by the rings thru the scratches.....

Caus-I-Can · #9 09-22-2008, 04:55 PM

I wood tend to agree with Misteright1 99, although fun story - when i was just a wee lad of bout 11 my old peice of crap motorbike that my folks got me the prevous Xmas ( it must have had at least 10 owners before me and predated the vietnam war), seized. Dad was busy so i went at it - took off the head and looked in side and saw this metal thing stuck between cyclinder and chamber so got out the pliers gave it a big tug, put the head back on and off i went for about another year nd half.... ha ha....wont say it had much power thou .. although at the time iwas told it was the carbs

Saddletramp1200 · #10 09-22-2008, 07:07 PM

Don't do it unless you want to buy A new liner & head.