piston ring compressor

[MIKE550/4]

what tool do you guys use when barrels getting put back on

ie pressing the rings to slide the barrels down, any links to place where i could purchase ?

one in the manual looks very honda mechanic only ,

[JonnyB]

I've never used one, the lip at the base of the barrels (on 750 anyway) is large enough to push the rings in as you slide the barrels over the pistons. I've always used loads and loads of clean engine oil during reassembly, and with the outer pistons raise slid the barrels downwards. You may need to pinch the rings as you go, but this can be done by hand

[SteveD CB500K0]

Same with the 500/550, the lip at the base of the barrels is enough.

Just don't force it and use loads of engine oil.

John and I must have learned in the same "engine rebuild" class!

[MIKE550/4]

right interesting no need to for compressor then.....

when you say use plenty of engine oil , is that round the piston , down the barrel, or both , anything else to watch out for

[JonnyB]

Rule of thumb -  when rebuilding and engine, you can never use too much oil during a rebuild, if it's metal-on-metal -  lube it

[SteveD CB500K0]

Yea!

Pour it everywhere!

[matthewmosse]

once you've added more oil, put a bit more on there, I also use fingernails to feed the pistons back into the barrells, I try to feed in the middle pistons first. I have a draper piston ring compressor but it's pretty much useless for bikes appart from my 1000cc bmw as with most diy mechanics tools it's intended for cars.........

[florence]

Make sure you have the ring gaps in different places, say 12 o'clock, 4 o'clock 8 o'clock.......
Start with the middle cylinders, smear the cylinder wall with lots of oil.  Once the piston is introduced into the lip the rings should guide in by themselves.  Use your fingers to squeeze them in but don't force the piston too hard.  Gently rocking the piston on the gudgeon pin axis helps too.  Take your time and you should find it easier than you might think.