Compressing rings GS1100e

[Guest]

Ok so I did some searching on here and read about this hose clamp method. I must have the wrong clamps because even when the clamp is barely over the top compression ring the part where the screw is still hits my cylinder and I cant line up the piston. I also tried a ring compressor from good ol Oreilly auto parts but it was way to long. Any ideas from the gurus on here?

[cowboyup3371]

I just put the cylinders back on my 550 using nothing but my fingers. Don't know if your 1100 is any stiffer but it's worth a shot

[m.qualls89]

I'll try that tomorrow. Thanks!

[cowboyup3371]

Forgot to add, I used two blocks from Steve that sat under the number 2 and 3 pistons to keep them from falling down but nothing for compressing the rings. He built the blocks from a diagram in the Clymers or Service manual, can't remember which.

[m.qualls89]

With a buddy to hold the cylinders maybe I won't need the block. Or maybe not having the block is why I couldn't line them up before... I guess there's only one way to find out. Thats the 3x6x1" block correct?

[posplayr]

Obviously be carefull, The Weisco rings are pretty stiff but you can get them in using the flat side of a screw driver. Two people helps both lying both sides of teh bike as teh cyclinder has to drop down straight else one side will rise and those rings will be out.


Be especially careful with the oil rings, my first experience and much to my chagrin I laid one of the oil rings over, scored the cylinder wall and ended up 5K later with an 1166.

If it is hard to drop down, too hard then it is likely the rings are not right.

Hopefully you had the bottom of the cylinder champfered; that helps a lot.

Be patient, it is usually pretty easy to get the two top rings on all 4 cylinders but the oil rings are a biatch. Now Ray can drop the whole thing by himself in about 5 minutes but he has had a lot of practice

There is a tool you can make that works with hose clamps. Cut a piece of 3" drain pipe(about 1" length) ; then slit it it so you can adjust to the 75mm size. Then champfer the outside (grinding wheel) so that it fits up into the cylinder champ fer.

The the hose clamp is not riding right on the rings, the pipe is relatively slick and the rings slide inside; you have compressed all the rings and they should just push up into the cylinder and also provides much more margin for error when rocking the cylinder heads.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Use a Popsicle stick

[Maulerman]

I use popsicle sticks, also, and use two pairs of vise grips on the cylinder studs to hold the cylinder up. I drop them as I go. It's tedious but possible.

I have also used .010 shim stock under the hose clamps. The jury is still out on whether it is worth the extra trouble.

[m.qualls89]

Well I've tryed something else but still fighting it. I got the 3" pipe as stated below and it works great as far as compressing the rings, but i keep having the problem of the pistons moving one me. Causing them to go in all catywompas lol. I'm gonna look around and try to find something to make this board out of to put under the pistons and make them straight. As always any input is greatly appreciated.

[m.qualls89]

Well I finally just said heck with it and did it by hand. It was much easier than I had expected! 10 minutes and I had them on with my brother in laws help.