Replace Rings?

[Rauzer]

My 650GL has 13xxx miles on it. I've got the engine apart and figured I'd soak the pistons to get the carbon off. Should I replace the rings while I'm at it? None of them are broke or anything. Saw them for $36 a piston I think on Parts Bandit. Thoughts?

 

[7981GS]

Probably not necessary with those few miles.
If you need rings, I can more than likely get you a complete set for all 4 pistons delivered to your door for about $80.00.

Daniel

 

[Nessism]

13,000 miles is nothing for a GS engine. I'm fairly certain the rings are fine unless someone ran the engine without an air filter.

Some people like to hone the cylinders every time the engine is apart but I'm not one of them. As long as the compression was good before it will continue to be good after your tear down.

Just make sure you use OE gaskets and replace the valve stem seals when you put the engine back together. The OE gaskets are nose-bleed expensive but it doesn't pay to cheap out.

 

[Rauzer]

Thanks! Unfortunately I dont have compression numbers. I didnt ride it at all before the teardown. It sometimes had issues starting, but once started, it idled fine. Bruce has my carbs and my valves are out also.

From my readings on here I had already planned on getting OE gaskets. Not rushing the build so I'll pick them up over time to spread the cost out. So I'll just soak em and clean em up. Any harm in boiling them after the soak with the rings on?

I found out today that soaking the calipers softens the paint pretty good lol. Planned on painting them anyway

 

[Nessism]

Na, don't boil them. No purpose. Soak them in carb dip. Scrub the carbon off. Wash in hot soapy water. Dry and spray with WD-40 to get the last of the water off. You need to be really careful to not bang around the pistons with the rings on there or one of them can get bent.

 

[Rauzer]

Sounds good, one less step.