Using piston ring compressor....

Hi,
I'm now in the part to put the pistons back into the cylinders but now for this time the Wiseco piston rings are much harder to compress by hand than my previous ring change (oem ring) on my last and now sold KZ550.

I think i will need a compressor... in the kawa manual they talk about special tool ring compressor (57001-1095 and adapter 57001-1096)...

Will i need this type of compressor or i can go with this :




BTW, i will be inserting the piston into the cylinder by the bottom... not by the top and then installing piston pin like most youtube videos...

I have never done this procedure with ring compressor by the bottom... i have no clue how it could work... you have to get the compressor into the cylinder then rotate the crankshaft ????


thank you very much!
laurent

Patience and pop-sickle sticks.

Some report success using a section of metal package strip held snugly around the rings with a tie wrap which slides away as the piston enters the cylinder.

Chamfer at bottom of cylinder also helps.

Good Fortune!

I used big zip ties and some poster board as a wrap.

Some use large hose clamps. I do not think the clamp shown in the picture will work. The ones I used have a pliers like tool that extends horizontally straight out from the side. I bought two of the clamps from JC Whitney when I rebuilt my engine because I figured spending $80 was worth it not to break a ring. Rings are pricey. I could probably be persuaded to sell them.

If you have an assistant you may be able to fight them in without proper compressors. I have no idea how you can get the wrist pins in after the pistons are set in the bores. I couldn't. The pistons have to align with the rods perfectly or the pins won't go in.

Mine look more like this kind:

www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/13/133/2...1&zmac=49&zmap=25609


If you want to buy them, send me a note. I'll sell both clamp sets for what I paid ($80) and throw in the shipping. That's two of the adjustable clamp hand grips and two full sets of steel clamp bands.

Let me know what your piston diameter is so I can make sure they are covered by the set of bands that came with it.

Thank you for all these replies... really appreciated

I will try with a friend to «fight» those pistons by hand and if we can't get them into the jugs i'm gonna try all your suggestions. Zip tie is a popular one around the forum.

As for the tools (bountyhunter) this will be my last resort. Won't you need 4 clamps instead of 2 ? (4 pistons)

Have nice day guys!
best regards,
laurent

ELCouz wrote: ...Won't you need 4 clamps instead of 2 ? (4 pistons)....

Two clamps are sufficient when pistons are fitted two together at the same time.

Here's the factory tool whereby all four pistons may be simultaneously fitted.


Be extra careful when dealing with the oil ring, as it is the most easily damaged.

Good Fortune!

Thanks for the info Patton!
In my manual they talk about a holder which consist of a long shaft (:whistle: ) that hold the bottom of all the piston straight... which is good if you want to fit all of them at the same time...

I should do it 2 at time. It would be easier than doing 4 at the same time

I hope that it will be good with the chamfer on the jugs and a set of hands :laugh:

regards,
laurent

Patton wrote:

ELCouz wrote: ...Won't you need 4 clamps instead of 2 ? (4 pistons)....

Two clamps are sufficient when pistons are fitted two together at the same time.

Here's the factory tool whereby all four pistons may be simultaneously fitted.

Be extra careful when dealing with the oil ring, as it is the most easily damaged.

Good Fortune!

I had one of those and it was a pain in the ass to use. I like the chop sticks with a friend method.

Well tried with a friend and by hand it's out of question way too hard to compress then align at the same time...

Please tell me all your secrets so i can buy everything and be ready for PLAN B,C,D,etc

-Large ZIP Tie are on my buy list

- What else ???


regards,
laurent