Piston Rings (where to buy)

[Crazcnuk]

Bike Bandit has oversize rings from Wiseco for $25:15/set but they are for oversize pistons.

[GNEPIG]

quote from DiverRay

Pistons can be "knurled" to expand the skirt area. I remember we used to do that with the bikes long ago.

.. Ray, how does one do this "knurling" process or do you have to take your pistons to a machine shop? and can you do this to the inside of a ristpin bushing, like you can the valve guides?

[DiverRay]

Ray, how does one do this "knurling" process or do you have to take your pistons to a machine shop? and can you do this to the inside of a ristpin bushing, like you can the valve guides?

The Knurling was done at a machine shop. I would NOT try to knurl the inside of a wrist pin, as you would see the piston shortly after running down the road.
Ray

[Crazcnuk]

They used to knurl the wrist pin itself if it became loose in the piston, but that was considered a last resort. Worked best on motors where the piston was pressed onto the pin, and floated in the rod.

You can also knurl valves, pistons, etc. If it's done right it can work very well, but it's become a lost art.

All knurling is is a technique where you use a textured roller tool, pressed against the surface you want raised. The roller is pushed with enough force to 'squish metal up into the texture on the tool. Then you machine the raised surface back down to the proper spec. It reduces the load bearing surface area, but it can add more oil holding capability.

This method could probably be used to fix the cam bearing journals on my bike, where aluminum has pulled out of the head. I would have to bore the journals to make them round, then knurl the cam bearing surfaces to make it fit again.

Not sure how well it would work in that application. Cams are surface hardened and parkerized and may not appreciate the process.

[Geezer]

This is the first I've heard of knurling wrist pins and I thought I'd heard of all the old weird ways of saving parts. It comes from a time when parts cost more than labor. I remember reading in an old honda manual about cleaning up ignition points with a knife sharpening stone.

Knurling valve guides is not all that old of a fix. It requires a special tool that looks a bit like a tap but the edges are rounded to expand the metal rather than cut it. After expanding the guide, it would be reamed as usual. One more advantage to this than cost saving (much less work than knocking out and replacing guides) is the knurled guide holds oil better and last as long or longer than the original guide.

Geezer

[Crazcnuk]

Don't give up on the 11, the difference between it and the 750 is no comparison!
T.C. [/B][/QUOTE]

Actually i am hoping the XS1100 will be able to tow the trailer I used to pull around with my VT1100 shadow.

By all the numbers, the XS has more peak horsepower, and from the 1/4 mile rating it must have more torgue as well, so I am thinking it should pull the trailer better than the shadow.

The virago is the 2nd '82 750 I've had and it's a decent bike, but not big enough for long hauls with a trailer.