Running on bad rings

I have a 76 KZ900 and last year I did a diagnostic to see if the rings were bad and sure enough they are. So would it hurt the bike to run on bad rings for a season? I have heard things about dropping valves or over compressing them or something? What is this and is it a danger?
ThanxB)

If the hot compression is within service manual specs, you can run it.

Thanks for the advice, where in the service manual would I find those numbers? I looked in the index but didn't find compression anywhere, don't see it on the spec sheet, and I can't find it posted near ring replacement? Maybe I overlooked it but it is always good to get advice from someone who has put their eyes on it already.
ThanxB)

In my 750 twin FSM, it is in the chapter called "Maintenance-Engine". For mine, the nominal compression is 156psi and service limit is 115 psi.

I'll check it out thanksB)

is the engine smoking badly if it's not run it and keep a good eye on your oil consumption if it goes up drasticly then park it. by the way how did you figure that you had bad rings.

I would get a bottle of ring free from your local yamaha shop and give it a couple of treatments and that will tell you if the rings are stuck. I use this product on a lot of machines that have been sitting. Great product.

It will clean up your upper engine. Be sure to change the oil after the shock treatment. Roy

Once the compression gets below 115-120 you will start having plug founling problems. Mine was down to 110 in all four and I would foul plugs no matter how lean in about an hour of riding.

by the way how did you figure that you had bad rings.

... I'm with TB on this, was wondering the same...

Smoking, pinging/ringing sound (broken rings) in one or all cylinders, fouled plugs, no running power, metal shavings in oil, extremely low compression measurements etc....

Compression test for sure and if possible leak down test.

Me personally, if the rings are truly damaged, why the hell would you run this old girl is beyond me. :blink:

Example, pinging/ringing sounds in the cylinders normally equates to broken rings. These rings start busting up in your cylinders and shread the cylinder walls (sleeves) kiss the cylinder goodbye... Time for a bore job, most probably sleeves as well. Then there's the damage to the pistons/head/valves...

Now because you just wanted to ride the summer you're out a couple of grand in repairs... :ohmy:

Now you have metal shavings in your lower end so now you have to split the cases to get them out... See where this is going?

All in all, just not worth it... Or is it... Follow the others guidance, test if truly damaged, open her up, visually inspect the cylinder walls, measure the ring end gaps, find out if they're broken, inspect your pistons etc...

I did the water test on the pipes and found I had a dead cyl, after I checked valve clearances I did a comp. test ad had low compression. Then to check and see if it was rings or valves I poured a teaspoon of oil down the cyl. and sure enough the numbers went up drastically. These were all things I posted last year, thanks for all the good advice. I have decided to take the plunge and do them. I am going to start a new thread asking if there are any KZR's in DFW. I need to know a respectable shop around here that will take care of me. I need head work and the cans checked and honed. ThanxB)