pistons

Steve Highfield · Oct 6, 2024

I'm checking out pistons and rings for my 1973 850 Commando.
The company I deal with sell two types:
1. SET–PISTONS +20 -HEPOLITE BY JCC TAIWAN- w/PINS CIRCLIPS UKRINGS -COMM 850 (PR) $232.05
2. SET–PISTONS +20 – w/RINGS CIRCLIPS PINS – GANDINI (ITALY) – NOR (PR) – SPECIAL $495

anyone have any issues with the Hepolite pistons or is the Gandini ones the way to go?
Bike won't be raced to thrashed in any way. I have 8 other bikes for that.

Also.. I've always used copper head gaskets in my Triumph's and BSA's. The gasket kit they offer has a composite head gasket included and not a copper gasket. Can anyone have any problems with the composite gaskets?
Original copper head gasket looks like there was some kind of material or dirt left on the surface when it was installed last leaving it un reusable.

Triton Thrasher · Oct 6, 2024

I’d have more faith in Taiwanese pistons than Italian, all other things (rings, circlips) being the same.

kommando · Oct 6, 2024

Steve Highfield said:
Can anyone have any problems with the composite gaskets?

Composite need retorquing more than copper initially, once bedded in they seal longer than copper but when they do fail you will be ringing for a trailer. Copper leaks more but in an oily but get you home way.

marshg246 · Oct 6, 2024

Steve Highfield said:
I'm checking out pistons and rings for my 1973 850 Commando.
The company I deal with sell two types:
1. SET–PISTONS +20 -HEPOLITE BY JCC TAIWAN- w/PINS CIRCLIPS UKRINGS -COMM 850 (PR) $232.05
2. SET–PISTONS +20 – w/RINGS CIRCLIPS PINS – GANDINI (ITALY) – NOR (PR) – SPECIAL $495

anyone have any issues with the Hepolite pistons or is the Gandini ones the way to go?
Bike won't be raced to thrashed in any way. I have 8 other bikes for that.

Also.. I've always used copper head gaskets in my Triumph's and BSA's. The gasket kit they offer has a composite head gasket included and not a copper gasket. Can anyone have any problems with the composite gaskets?
Original copper head gasket looks like there was some kind of material or dirt left on the surface when it was installed last leaving it un reusable.

I use Hepolite Piston sets exclusively. $232.05 USD is about twice what you should pay for them!

Composite head gaskets must be torqued multiple times. I too use copper exclusively on Triumph and BSA, but they cannot be used on Norton without sealer so I use composite on Norton and only sell copper on request. The full gasket sets from AN can be purchased with composite or copper and the sets are very high quality - I use no other gasket sets.

BTW, "HEPOLITE BY JCC TAIWAN" is not correct. Today, Hepolite is a registered trademark of Wassell. The pistons are JCC and the rings are not - they are UK made. So, the company you are dealing with is a Wassell dealer like me.

pistons

Steve Highfield

Triton Thrasher

kommando

marshg246

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