Piston ring compresser

[Premature Accelerato]

Hi. Does anyone have any brilliant ideas for making a DIY piston ring compresser. I am putting a GSXr 750 back together and it is a bitch getting the rings back in the barrel. These tools can be bought for a couple of hundred bucks but as its not going to get a lot of use, a diy tool would be the kiwi way to go. Any ideas appreciated.

[jellywrestler]

Hi. Does anyone have any brilliant ideas for making a DIY piston ring compresser. I am putting a GSXr 750 back together and it is a bitch getting the rings back in the barrel. These tools can be bought for a couple of hundred bucks but as its not going to get a lot of use, a diy tool would be the kiwi way to go. Any ideas appreciated.

there are alternatives, they're called hose clips

[ellipsis]

...aluminium can under the hoseclips is even more refined...

[Bender]

Supercheap auto sell them for under 40 bucks. But ally can under a hose clip works OK too.

[Akzle]

Hi. Does anyone have any brilliant ideas for making a DIY piston ring compresser. I am putting a GSXr 750 back together and it is a bitch getting the rings back in the barrel. These tools can be bought for a couple of hundred bucks but as its not going to get a lot of use, a diy tool would be the kiwi way to go. Any ideas appreciated.

a couple hundred bucks?!?!

duno. i have a big un (ute/truck size) don't know if it could wind down enough to fit small cyls... :S
i'm sure it didn't cost me a couple hundy.

DIY ideas.... spring steel sheet... make it funnel like. poke narrow end into cyl, throw rod/piston assy in after it and tap-tap-taperoo till she goes in.
(it SHOULD go without saying - watch the studs on the ends of the con rods. it's a really quick way to fuck a cylinder.)

[ducatilover]

there are alternatives, they're called hose clips
This always works for me.
Or anything thin (coke can/bottle etc) with cable ties, not as elegant and re-useable, but works.

[pete376403]

a couple hundred bucks?!?!

duno. i have a big un (ute/truck size) don't know if it could wind down enough to fit small cyls... :S
i'm sure it didn't cost me a couple hundy.

DIY ideas.... spring steel sheet... make it funnel like. poke narrow end into cyl, throw rod/piston assy in after it and tap-tap-taperoo till she goes in.
(it SHOULD go without saying - watch the studs on the ends of the con rods. it's a really quick way to fuck a cylinder.)
This will work if the engine has two piece rods. If it's a roller crank then no.
Also wrt to the studs (in two piece rods) put a piece of plastic tube over the studs to protect the cylinder walls

[actungbaby]

...aluminium can under the hoseclips is even more refined...

Bloody hell you guys are sophicated i use my fingers and lots swearing and somone to move the

cylinder barrell down

[nallac]

Bloody hell you guys are sophicated i use my fingers and lots swearing and somone to move the

cylinder barrell down

Thats what ive done, with the aid of a very blunt screwdriver...... does help it was on a V Twin....

[Sable]

Hose clips, cable ties or a mate with very tough fingers

[FJRider]

Bloody hell you guys are sophicated i use my fingers and lots swearing and somone to move the cylinder barrell down

One cylinder on yours ... four on his. I doubt if he has enough fingers ...

[ducatilover]

One cylinder on yours ... four on his. I doubt if he has enough fingers ...
:laugh: I just pictured holding two sets of rings shut and head butting the barrel down :facepalm:
Got to try that!

[jellywrestler]

Bloody hell you guys are sophicated i use my fingers and lots swearing and somone to move the

cylinder barrell down

tried doing that on a Six?

[Sable]

:laugh: I just pictured holding two sets of rings shut and head butting the barrel down :facepalm:
Got to try that!

Been there, done that

[actungbaby]

Thats what ive done, with the aid of a very blunt screwdriver...... does help it was on a V Twin....

yes i did the same thing on xl100k2 many years ago , just done that trick again on vtwin also (honda vt 500)

Not that bad really bit frustrating but whouldint work on inline four of course

But like others have said strip alloy sheet (thin) and hose clamps of course correct tools

Are always the best but am brooke mostley so yeah:yawn:

[actungbaby]

tried doing that on a Six?

No it whouldint work least your got a six nice dude (cbx) mmmm

[Premature Accelerato]

I have been snooping further and have come across a guy using a Marley type downpipe clip with the edges chamferred. Looks worth a crack as well. Thanks guys for the ideas, one of these is bound to do the trick. I will experiment and post the results.

[Katman]

Not that bad really bit frustrating but whouldint work on inline four of course


I've managed it on inline fours plenty of times.

[ducatilover]

I have been snooping further and have come across a guy using a Marley type downpipe clip with the edges chamferred. Looks worth a crack as well. Thanks guys for the ideas, one of these is bound to do the trick. I will experiment and post the results.

I'd say all of them will work, even the head butting idea I had (might try that one myself)

[Sable]

I'd say all of them will work, even the head butting idea I had (might try that one myself)
As I said, yes it does. Done that on a couple of twins now

[ducatilover]

As I said, yes it does. Done that on a couple of twins now

I have three single cylinders to re-ring at the moment, so I'll see if I can do two motors at once! :laugh:

[actungbaby]

I've managed it on inline fours plenty of times.

Cool to know mate good on you