Rings

[natemoen]

Do you mean to pump the cylinder up in order to hold the valve in it's seat (for spring removal and such), or to check compression?

Never thought of doing that to remove the valve springs! just to do a leakdown test is what I am talking about.

[XSive Okie]

Auto parts stores should have air hold fittings that will screw in.

[tinman905]

Here's a link that explains how to make and use a leak down tester. http://www.motorcycleproject.com/mot.../leakdown.html

[cywelchjr]

Never thought of doing that to remove the valve springs! just to do a leakdown test is what I am talking about.

I'm not sure you could get enough air pressure in there to hold the valve closed while removing the spring and putting a new one on. I would think you would need some sort of very tough balloon type thing filled with water to hold them closed. I'm not sure there is a material with both the stretch and the strength to do that with though.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Rope

You can put a lenth of cotten rope through the spark plug hole and hand crank the motor up till tight, then turn backwards when done to pull out the rope. Best to remove the head but this works great if you just need ti fix a broke valve spring, ect.

[natemoen]

I didnt get an answer before so I gotta ask again. Would a straight stone hone be good enough or do I have to use a ball hone?

[tinman905]

A straight hone is fine . It's cheaper and allows more adjustment . You will be more consistent keeping the cylinder walls straight with a straight hone.

[nutwister]

Never thought of doing that to remove the valve springs! just to do a leakdown test is what I am talking about.

Nate, the air pressure will do fine for either. It will tell you a lot about what's going on.

Get the cylinder on TDC compression stroke and have it in gear with the rear wheel locked in place so the pressure doesn't force the piston down.

You can see where the air is escaping, through the exhaust (exhaust valve), Through the intake ( intake valve), or through the crank case ( rings or piston) listen through the oil fill.

A place to start!

[natemoen]

Ok so I am trying to make a leakdown tester and I am not having a good time trying to thread the inside of a used spark plug. After I twisted one off inside the head I figured I was not going to try again (yeah I got it out).

I know that the 14mm to 1/4 NPT adapters exist but I cannot find anyone that carrys them locally. I could order one but I really dont want to wait for one. Anyone know of a chain that carrys them?

[natemoen]

Ok so I busted the insides out of another plug and filled it with JB weld and then drilled and tapped it. It worked good enough. Ring definitely seem to be the problem! Herd a little leaking from #1 intake but heard the air from the oil fill hole on them all. So I plan to do the rings and valve seals either way and I will do an valve lap job, unless I find other things when I get in there.....but hopefully not!

[newc4]

I have valve stem seal ordered as well. can I buy a bushing to thread into the spark plug hole so that I can hook it up to an air compressor?

Nate, I've a ring job in my future. Where'd you order the stem seals from?

[tinman905]

What is your mileage? Measure the cylinder walls at different locations these cylinders tend to go egg shape front to back on high mileage engines. If that is out too much new rings won't be much help. You might find Andreas has a set of jugs and pistons that will get you going again cheaper than new rings.

[tinman905]

Nate, I've a ring job in my future. Where'd you order the stem seals from?

You can find them at Parts and more , George's on Ebay too.

[natemoen]

Nate, I've a ring job in my future. Where'd you order the stem seals from?

Bought a whole gasket set from parts n more. The bike has 25000 on it so if the cylinders are ovaled out there is something else wrong.

Also when I was doing the leakdown I was getting a lot of leakage from the spark plug hole as well. Could have just been the seals on the spark plug end I was using cause it has been used alot. has anyone ever had this problem/ what could be done to fix it.

[TopCatGr58]

Also when I was doing the leakdown I was getting a lot of leakage from the spark plug hole as well. Could have just been the seals on the spark plug end I was using cause it has been used alot. has anyone ever had this problem/ what could be done to fix it.

Might try several wraps of teflon tape around the plug threads? Or..find a rubber washer/gasket to fit around the base of the spark plug to better seal against the head....my compression tester has an O-ring for that purpose!

T.C.