Is it necessary to Hone?

[JOE BIO]

I am ready to install new piston rings in my 1980 GS 1100 .I can't find any information in my Clymer Manuel about honning the cylinders. I always thought it was a standard practise when installing new rings . Does anyone have any information on this subject? Thanks Joe

[GS850_Coug]

It may not be absolutely necessary, but it is very highly recommended. By honing the cylinder you are ensuring that the new rings will have an easier job of "seating" to the cylinder wall. Without honing, the rings are riding on a fairly polished surface, prolonging the amount of time it takes to seat the rings.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Depends on who you talk to. If it was mine I would hone it

[DanTheMan]

Yes. There will be a small ridge at the top of the cylinders that will break the top ring if you don't either wet emery cloth the cylinders or hone them. and, the rings will have a hard time seating too.:-D

[mark]

My understanding is that is pretty much essential. Plus if you're going through all the work and expense to take things apart and install new rings, it seems silly to not spend the few dollars and the short time it takes to do the job.

[rphillips]

Yes hone!!! What, would be the negative?? Score "6" for "0" against

[MidnightRider]

Yes, you need to break that old glaze to seat the new rings for compression and so you don't burn a ton of oil. Not to mention the ridge, already mentioned. I only look at the clymer manual if something is unclear in the factory service manual. Maybe clymer assumes you're going to do it. Don't get carried away, you must have a different engine manual that shows the cross-hatch pattern. If you do it all day the rings won't seat because the cylinder is too large.

[bwringer]

I've had good results at least three times using a Flex-Hone. It was about $25 from Goodson, and pretty much idiot-proof -- all you need is a cordless drill on a fairly slow speed.

A Flex-Hone is basically a big bottle brush with abrasive beads on each bristle. Keep it moving up and down as it spins and you get a perfect cross-hatch pattern every time, and break-in is quick and painless. Takes maybe two minutes.

[gustovh]

That's it Bow you tell em how it should be done. You are %100 correct, you might also try for a 60 deg. angle on your cross hatch.
V

[JOE BIO]

Honning

Thanks for all of your advice .I am going to hone the cylinders this weekend . I purchased a flex Hone , hopefully I will get the perfect 60 degree Crosshatch pattern. Joe

[SqDancerLynn1]

Yes. There will be a small ridge at the top of the cylinders that will break the top ring if you don't either wet emery cloth the cylinders or hone them. and, the rings will have a hard time seating too.:-D

If their is a ridge STOP start measuring things you need an over bore