TOPIC:

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me out with which direction the bevel faces on the second piston ring. It's on a. 1981 Kz750 ltd. I have removed the existing rings and the bevel is on the upper part of the ring but looking on the internet it looks like it should face downwards. Were they installed incorrectly? Thanks for your expertise.

If the rings have engraved writing on them it faces upwards.

Thanks for the response. The old rings have an N inscribed on them so they must have been facing the right way.

I have another query. I bought replacement rings on eBay from Japan. The thickness of them compared to the old one's varies as shown:

Old rings

Top ring. 1.42mm
Second ring. 1.42mm
Oil rings. 0.44mm
1.40-2.29mm
0.43mm

New

Top ring 0.97mm
Second ring 1.16mm
Oil rings. 0.42mm
1.25-2.27mm
0.42mmm

I'm finding it difficult finding info on piston rings but assume these are not compatible. Any ideas?

The KZ750H & E came with 9/1 pistons and the thicker rings as are your old rings.
The GPz750 and Spectre came with 9.5/1 pistons and the thinner rings like your new rings.
Using the thin rings with the older pistons will lead to a lack of ring seal and failure of the rings.


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I thought as much, thanks. I've now ordered a different set of IMD rings. They say they are a direct replacement for the OEM 13008-5031. The oil ring is slightly different and the second ring has a groove on the outer edge, apparently for oil recovery purposes. The guy selling them says they're the new improved Riken style rings as the originals are now obsolete. He would, but hopefully he's right. Has anyone fitted similar rings? Will they be ok? I got impatient as the engine is out and ready to go back on......just need the rings.

I now have the new set of rings. The oil rings are slightly different but I'm more concerned with the second ring which has a cut out groove on the external edge of the ring whereas the original rings have a groove on the internal edge.

This is all a first for me so any help is greatly appreciated.

Would this new ring be ok and if so would the groove be on top or bottom. From what I've looked up these usually have the groove on the bottom. The original however (internal groove) was on top.

Once this is sorted can any help with end gaps? From what I have read, is this correct?
0.004in X 2.5985in (66mm bore diameter)
Equals 0.010394in or 0.26mm

If this is right, is this the minimum end gap size?

I hope some of this makes sense to someone, if not, apologies. I'm a novice!

Thanks in advance.