The International CBX Owners Association

Guy's,
What do you guy's do about ring compressors when putting the cylinders on ? I have several ring compressors from building automotive engines but of course they are all to big for the X and no one seems to offer one small enough, kind of gives a fella a compleX.

Steve P.

Found this under the search function

viewtopic.php?t=1864&highlight=ring+compressor

I used the shim stock/zip tie method on my recent engine build. I would have loved to have had the regular Honda clamps.

The shim stock method worked but I can see where the clamps would have been a huge time saver and I would have used less profanity. :)

Passx wrote:Guy's,
What do you guy's do about ring compressors when putting the cylinders on ? I have several ring compressors from building automotive engines but of course they are all to big for the X and no one seems to offer one small enough, kind of gives a fella a compleX.

Steve P.

Hi Steve

Thx Terry for the research on this for us and that link

Below are two other links with photos and videos that have some ring compressor tools for you to check out.

viewtopic.php?t=2447

viewtopic.php?t=2444

See PM I just sent you on this


Mike

Jay Wright from Bare Bones Machine came up with a brilliant way to do this. We tried just using hose clamps and ended up breaking a ring. So we got some shim stock (only about .010" if I remember right) and cut six strips just long enough to wrap around the pistons one and a half time. Spray em with WD40, and make sure you have a second set of hands. It took about an hour of very delicate maneuvering, but you can just undo the hose clamps once the rings are all the way in the cylinder.
NOTE! Make sure the little horizontal pin that locates tha cam-chain tensioner is in place before you put the cylinder on!!!! Don't ask me why I remember this.....

A wrap of brass shimstock, clamped with plastic cable ties does the trick for me...

PS, Excuse my manners, welcome to the site big al ....

big al wrote:NOTE! Make sure the little horizontal pin that locates tha cam-chain tensioner is in place before you put the cylinder on!!!! Don't ask me why I remember this.....

I thought it was only me did stuff like that.

I used a set of "punch lok clamps" the kind pipefitters use to clamp rubber hose to pipe nipples. Cut the clamp part off and bend the two ends out to hold the rings in tight.

I have a friend who has original Honda piston ring compressors that I can borrow if I need them

beer cans/hose clamps (don't empty out a six pack just prior to engine assembly).

I have the original Honda ring compressors and it took me about 15 minutes to install a cylinder just last week - and you can do it by yourself! As always, an extra hand never hurts, however.

I don't know if the Honds ones are still available, but they sure are worth their weight in gold.

Dave

EMS wrote:I have a friend who has original Honda piston ring compressors that I can borrow if I need them

The original should still be available, if costly. If not, Yamaha uses the same kind.

daves79x wrote:I don't know if the Honds ones are still available, but they sure are worth their weight in gold.

Then I must have a gold mine in my toolbox...I collected most of the ones available, including the CBX size, back when I was using them for a living.

As I prepare to install my new pistons, I frantically scan the forums for piston install best practices lessons learned, I am exceedingly envious of Mike's picture...

I will attempt using the beverage can, plastic tie method.

/r
Brad

Brad:
If you are coming to the Luray rally this weekend, I'll bring my official Honda CBX ring compressors for you to take home and use. Let me know.

Dave