ring compressor tool?

[DimitriT]

I know the traditional "tool" is to have a buddy hold the rings while you lower the cylinder block. But recently I was wondering if there's a better way. What do folks think of these?

http://www.powersportsplace.com/par...uHYjx8Lyi-DZe6zq9vDQaMkek7-dbHtmU4aAiGU8P8HAQ

There's not much room on the 550 to get the bigger tools in these so some thing small and simple might work.

 

[mike_of_bbg]

Looks interesting and in general the right idea. But that doesn't look to me like it would fit into the taper at the bottom of the cylinders while still compressing: that due to the "hooks" on the ends of the bands.

 

[Steve]

I share Mike's concern about fitting in the taper. :-k

If one edge would stick up above the squeezing tool, into the taper, it might work quite well.

It's possible to do with your fingers. I just did a 650, there is not any more room on that than there is a 550.

.

 

[DimitriT]

Looks interesting and in general the right idea. But that doesn't look to me like it would fit into the taper at the bottom of the cylinders while still compressing: that due to the "hooks" on the ends of the bands.

Yea I had the same concern. I think I might try to fabricate something along those lines.

 

[Guest]

Popcycles were invented, so you could use the sticks to push the rings in the cylinder.

 

[bwringer]

I still have two of those tools sitting in a box. They don't work.


I've tried several things, but found no better or gentler approach than to use your fingers or perhaps a wooden tool as Big Jay suggests.

 

[rapidray]

Popcycles were invented, so you could use the sticks to push the rings in the cylinder.

Tongue depressors are thicker & work even better!!
Ray.

 

[DimitriT]

From past experience the problem is always the outer pistons. Once you get the inner pistons in, you have to get the outer pistons up to get them inserted.

An old forum article suggested this method:

* remove the outer pistons and insert then into the block without the wrist pins and circlips
* lower the block onto the inner pistons and use fingers to insert the inner pistons into the block
* rotate crank until the connecting rod's small end lines up with the wrist pin hole in outer pistons
* insert wrist pins to outer pistons

Has anyone tried this? Did it help?

 

[SocialAnomaly99]

Large hose clamps and an old plastic peanut butter container. Cut 1&1/2in sections out of the peanut butter container and wrap those around your rings. Tighten the hose clamps around those plastic strips to compress the rings. Slide jugs onto pistons, remove hose clamps and plastic strips.

 

[Sandy]

From past experience the problem is always the outer pistons. Once you get the inner pistons in, you have to get the outer pistons up to get them inserted.

An old forum article suggested this method:

* remove the outer pistons and insert then into the block without the wrist pins and circlips
* lower the block onto the inner pistons and use fingers to insert the inner pistons into the block
* rotate crank until the connecting rod's small end lines up with the wrist pin hole in outer pistons
* insert wrist pins to outer pistons

Has anyone tried this? Did it help?

Never tried it, but it sounds like it might work. Just push the outer pistons up into the bore until you've done the inners then push them down to expose the wrist pin bore. It sounds like it could work. Me, after fights with bogus compressors and gear clamps I used my fingers or a stick if you don't have good thumb nails. ....simple.

 

[ptedward]

I too used fingers ... it often takes multiple tries but it works!

 

[Manzarr]

Thanks everyone, used the c-clamp "break" the seal on them then used the compression tool. Worked great.

 

[DimitriT]

From past experience the problem is always the outer pistons. Once you get the inner pistons in, you have to get the outer pistons up to get them inserted.

An old forum article suggested this method:

* remove the outer pistons and insert then into the block without the wrist pins and circlips
* lower the block onto the inner pistons and use fingers to insert the inner pistons into the block
* rotate crank until the connecting rod's small end lines up with the wrist pin hole in outer pistons
* insert wrist pins to outer pistons

Has anyone tried this? Did it help?

I gave this a try last night. I don't recommend it, at least on the 550s. Just not enough room to get the wrist pins in without having the outer pistons wiggle loose. And then you have to just insert them again. So I think the original approach where you get the inner pistons in and then work on the outer is still the best.

One thing I started doing which helped: I put the bike in 6th gear and wedged a piece of wood under the rear tire. Not enough to tip it off the center stand but just enough to keep the pistons from moving too much. I had to adjust for slack in the chain. This imobilized the middle pistons in the TDC position and made inserting them much less niggly.

 

[Brendan W]

Large hose clamps and an old plastic peanut butter container. Cut 1&1/2in sections out of the peanut butter container and wrap those around your rings. Tighten the hose clamps around those plastic strips to compress the rings. Slide jugs onto pistons, remove hose clamps and plastic strips.

Worked a charm for me. After an hour trying fingers and hose clamps alone I didn't feel happy going for the tap in either way. Two strips from an old plastic paint bucket and the block practically fell onto the pistons. The tricky bit was getting the strips off the two outers without snagging the base gasket.
In retrospect if I had used something a little closer to the piston size there would have been less of a problem.

 

[ensure]

I have used them recently to reassemble my 80 1100 motor. They were easy to use and made it a relatively hassle free job.

 

[loud et]

I used common hose clamps. You just have to have them tightened "just right" so they both compress the rings to keep them in but also slide as you bring the head down. It worked well enough.