Hi folks about to put the barrels back on a '71 Lightning but all the ring compressors I can see are for inserting the pistons from the top of the block (car style) and not from the bottom (as it were). Any advice? Bores are not chamfered at the bottom so awkward to do by hand.
When I did my friends Lightning I used two Alloy strips bent to shape and large Jubilee clips. Use two strips of wood across the crank case. Turn crank until pistons rest on the strips then push the barrel onto the pistons. The alloy strips and jubilee clip will be pushed to the bottom of the pistons. Then just fiddle until clips are un screwed. Works on my Shooting Star as well.
for my B40, I rested the piston on some wood strips and used a plastic guttering downpipe clamp to compress the rings. Probably difficult with a twin unless you have 2 pairs of hands!
I use a couple f these
https://www.classicbikepartscheshire.com/engine-parts-transmission-c37/pistons-c153/bsa-universal-piston-ring-compressor-ring-suits-70-75mm-2-76-2-96-cylinder-size-p3656/s3714?cid=GBP&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjer4BRCZARIsABK4QeW-7dDFr9wNEcqbNWll1icgLI0CCfVuM3y3RlVk0cN7KUmMrfH6W2caAoIsEALw_wcB
or a couple of jubilee clips but they are nothing like as easy to use as the proper tool above
Thanks guys will give it a whirl
not cheap but these are the best I have ever used . just fitted a square four barrel on to the 4 pistons with two of these .https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-New-360-450-500-Piston-Ring-Compressor-Slider-Holder-CB450-07954-2830000/222617536164?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
:) :) :) :)
I put mine in from the top and then with pistons resting on a couple of bits of wood, feed the gudgeon pins in.
If you consider doing this there are two very important things to remember. 1.. you must put the "inside" retaining circlip in first. 2.. make absolutely sure that you have rags etc stuffed in around the conrods and that its not possible to let "little fings" like circlips down into the casings.
Works for me. specially on the bench.
Mike 8) 8) 8)
Recently put new rings in my Lightning and fitted the Pistons into the barrels, then knocked them through until the gudgeon pin holes were clear of the barrels. Couple of bits of wood holding the con rods straight up and lowered the barrel down over them and knocked the pins in. I had a hand and it worked fine. Good advice though about making sure nothing can feck off into the crankcase.
:) :) :)
Another little tip if you do it from the top. Its possible to push the gudgeon pin through, just enough, so that there is a very tiny lip on the inside of the piston which you can "lodge" the small end of conrod on as a feed in. Then I use a hard rubber mallet to set them properly. Its not that difficult on your own, but a little help is preferable.
Mike 8) 8) 8)
Thanks again all. Tried the "pushing the pistons into the barrels and pushing the pins in" trick but working solo and couldn't align it well enough. Clamps on order from Classic Bikes - fingers crossed.