Uh-oh!

htown16 said:
Get a set of Hastings rings. I heard Hastings was discontinuing making them for the Commando but they still seem to be widely available from the various vendors. I rebuilt 4 Commando engines with them and they sealed on first start up. Follow the instructions for which side is up on the compression rings. The oil ring spacer has abutting ends and is installed with the ends facing up. Use a ball hone to break the glaze.
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They quit making them a few years ago. Some old sets are still in in stock at The Bonneville Shop. 750 +40 and +60, 850 +20 and +60.

The other places I've bought them no longer have stock. I think Baxter might have +60 for 750s. Steadfast has a standard 750 set for WAY too much money and a standard 850 set for even more money.
 
Larry S said:
You’ve all convinced me to just go ahead and get a new set of rings. As mentioned, continuing on would just end in failure. When I get the time I’ll tear it back down and post pics of the rings so everyone can see what I’m talking about.
Click to expand...
Throw those rings over the fence and get a set of rings where the expander butts together
 
Larry S said:
You’ve all convinced me to just go ahead and get a new set of rings. As mentioned, continuing on would just end in failure. When I get the time I’ll tear it back down and post pics of the rings so everyone can see what I’m talking about.
Click to expand...
Make sure the rings are compatible with the pistons you have. Check the clearance in the grooves. Better yet, before you toss the existing rings, measure the thickness and compare to the new rings.
 
I'll ask the dumb question. If thats a vertical spacer, how does the overlapped end lead to oil getting past the two thin scraper rings?
 
Saber said:
I'll ask the dumb question. If thats a vertical spacer, how does the overlapped end lead to oil getting past the two thin scraper rings?
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Its acting as a spring as well as the spacer, if the ends don't butt but overlap the force outwards is reduced as the spring is shorter, so the scraper rings are not pressed outwards as much as intended.
 
marshg246 said:
Please post a close-up picture that shows the red and green ends and a couple of bumps before them. This is making zero sense in words. Or, I can supply a set of Hepolite rings that have a different type of oil rings to stop the confusion or a complete set of pistons/rings/pins/clips. You've got to be tired of putting it together and taking it apart. Call me if you want to talk about it: 703-200-4025.

I'm positive that if you put it together with the expander overlapped, you're wasting your time.
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Do tell, what was discovered? Not a secret, is it? 🤔
Closing the loop is part of the collective sharing process here. 💡
 
Last edited:
concours said:
Do tell, what was discovered? Not a secret, is it? 🤔
Closing the loop is part of the collective sharing process here. 💡
Click to expand...
I think we all should have simply believed him at his post #249 (and started to believe at #245 and #247) - he convinced me on the phone. Had we done that we might have simply pushed him to get rid of the bad rings and get a new set.

Apparently either improperly manufactured or flattened by being installed overlapped initially. Yes, a picture of the ends of the expander while not in the piston would have helped us all believe him, but his description was clear - the green side was right, the red side was not. All of us assuming he was wrong did not help.

He has new rings on the way.
 
marshg246 said:
I think we all should have simply believed him at his post #249 (and started to believe at #245 and #247) - he convinced me on the phone. Had we done that we might have simply pushed him to get rid of the bad rings and get a new set.

Apparently either improperly manufactured or flattened by being installed overlapped initially. Yes, a picture of the ends of the expander while not in the piston would have helped us all believe him, but his description was clear - the green side was right, the red side was not. All of us assuming he was wrong did not help.

He has new rings on the way.
Click to expand...
I understood the OP's verbal depiction clearly.

Did you see a picture?
 
If asked : With the amount of labor involved in disassemble and reassemble, Why chance reusing used rings. Rings are not that expensive. Not to mention the possible incorrect manufacture of them. IMHO
 
I’ve been extremely busy lately and haven’t had a chance to tear the bike back down again. After talking to Greg I’m convinced that I improperly installed the rings the first time and flattened the red side of the ring allowing the overlap. I will post pics as soon as I tear it down. I’m not afraid to admit my mistakes and I’ve committed quite a few during this endeavor. If you don’t make mistakes now and then you’re not gonna learn anything.
 
mean gene said:
If asked : With the amount of labor involved in disassemble and reassemble, Why chance reusing used rings. Rings are not that expensive. Not to mention the possible incorrect manufacture of them. IMHO
Click to expand...
Yes, I completely agree that trying to reuse those rings was a complete waste of time. The lure of warm and sunny weather this late in the season probably influenced my decision.
 

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