Piston Ring Gap for GS1100GL?

[Guest]

I am reading through the service manual on BassCliff's website, but the manual has only service limits for ring gap (.030",) which is not the same as a spec for new rings. It doesn't seem right to use this service limit as a spec for my new rings.

[Nessism]

I think you will find that with OEM rings you will never find a condition where the end gap is too close, even with new rings.

If you are using new rings and have measured the gap what is it?

BTW, if you look at the GS1000 manual, and the 1000 engine is very similar to the 1100G, the minimum ring gap for the 1st and 2nd ring is .006". Most of the time, even with new rings, the gap is well over double that.

[GregT]

The old rule of thumb for the ring gap on new rings is .003in per inch of bore diameter.

Still works for me.

[Guest]

I have not put a new ring in a cylinder yet, and I didn't bother with the old ones since one compression ring was broken. I wanted to ask before I started. I read all the way through section 3 on the Suzuki FSM with no mention of gap spec, only service limit. One might think that ring gap would be specified. I suppose that's evidence of what people say about the manuals for these bikes.

Steve confirmed what you say above--.006-.014". I will shoot for the middle of that if grinding is necessary.

Thanks for the input. I will probably have questions tomorrow. I did read all the way through teardown and assembly, but something is sure to come up.

My experience with OE rings in cars is that gap never needs to be set, and it sounds like that will be the case here too. But I do have an actual rotary ring grinder if I need it.

[Suzuki Mad]

Suzuki GS1100 service manual shows various figures for gaps.

1st ring is 0.30 inch
2nd ring is 0.35 inch

End gap and service limit is 0.03in on both rings.

Are you standard size or over sized?

[Steve]

Suzuki GS1100 service manual shows various figures for gaps.

1st ring is 0.30 inch
2nd ring is 0.35 inch

End gap and service limit is 0.03in on both rings.

Are you standard size or over sized?

You may want to proof-read your advice.

An end gap of three-tenths of an inch is not acceptable on ANY engine in a road-going vehicle.

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[Suzuki Mad]

You may want to proof-read your advice.

An end gap of three-tenths of an inch is not acceptable on ANY engine in a road-going vehicle.

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[Steve]

If you read that last picture carefully, the FREE end gap (with the ring NOT in the cylinder), it will be 0.3", but the table right below that says "0.7 mm (0.03 in)" for the installed end gap.

I can see where you got your number, but it's not what the original post is asking for.

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