As some of you may know, I'm about to disassemble the engine. The main purpose: replace the cam tensioner shoes (I use the old spring loaded style) However, I will also take advantage of the situation and change some other things, including:

1. piston rings
2. lifters
3. valve seals
4. inner cam bearings
5. primary chain tensioner shoe

However, I'm not sure how to buy the correct piston ring size. My engine is a stock 88ci, no oversize, no nothing. The listings I see on eBay say ''oversize'' or ''replacement rings for X brand pistons'' all I want is stock piston ring set.

Any pointers on how to buy the correct piston ring size off a website would be appreciated (I live overseas and the local dealer won't work with imported bikes like mine) so it's all DIY work...thanks!

 

Do you happen to have a parts manual for your bike? I'd look in it for an HD part number. Sometimes you can even find the dimensions listed.

 

FYI replace cams, tensioner and inner bearings do not require cylinder head removal.
Why don't you punch it out to 95? You have the cylinders out anyways, just my thought.
For parts go to Ronnie's http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....artsfinder.htm

 

Yeah I question the piston ring replacement also. Unless it's showing blow by or oil consumption, the rings should last. (I'm still on my original pistons and rings at 140,000 miles on the bike and it still doesn't use oil between services.)

 

That's truly amazing! If the rings break in well, they last forever. If it aint broke, please don't break it!

 

Well thank you. Between 100,000 ans 120,000 I replaced lots of "wear" items, from relays to fuel pumps and lines, rocker arms and shafts, the spring cap on the compensator, etc.

But since installing gear drive cams in 2011 at 81,000 miles, I haven't touched the heart of the motor since. Just services every 5,000 miles.

 

I'd love to, and it's not that expensive (around $1,000) but right now I'm finishing college, my money is going towards graduation projects and whatnot. Maybe in a year or two.

What is "blow by"? And sadly, I do have an oil consumption problem, at least once a month I have to add a full quart of oil. I have noticed some "sweat stains" in some parts of the primary, the cam chest, and the transmission housing. Could it be that the metal is getting porous and letting oil out? I don't know much about the wear and tear of those things. There's no noticeable leaks. Maybe changing all the gaskets would help, I don't know.

Thanks for heads up, I'll probably need to do the same when I hit those mileages!

 

bump...

so...any tips on buying stock piston ring size? I'm ordering the parts tomorrow and since I live overseas I'd like to order everything in one fell swoop. Thanks!

 

bump...

so...any tips on buying stock piston ring size? I'm ordering the parts tomorrow and since I live overseas I'd like to order everything in one fell swoop. Thanks!

 

OK, Either purchase "Standard" rings from the dealership or purchase them from a reputable supplier. I say that because I got burnt once on ebay with soft rings that never sealed up. Basically the rings I purchased were swapped out for a lesser quality in the premium package.

If you do not purchase from the dealership, find somebody that has a micrometer or caliper you can borrow. Measure the piston diameter and the cylinder bore diameter. Next measure the width of each groove in the piston. Now go to Hastings website and search your bike info and find the correct cylinder diameter with matching ring thicknesses for your piston ring grooves. It is important to check the groove thickness as there are sometimes multiple options for ring thickness.

http://www.hastingsmfg.com/

Ring Finder
Diametrical
Ring Thickness