Any pointers for redoing my piston rings?

[GLoweVA]

Background: I burnt a hole in #4 by running it too lean while limping it home on 2 cylinders. #1-3 have okay compression ~140#
So, now I've got some pistons and 4 new sets of rings on the way.
I've read and reread the 2 manuals about this process and was just wondering if any of you guys have any pointers (do's and don'ts) that will help me in this endevor. I've already got the head off. (see my other post "puling my head off" for a pic of the holed piston)
I'm waiting for the parts to arrive before pulling the jugs off.
I've got 4 used pistons coming and I'm planning on using the best looking/fitting one in #4 and replacing all 4 sets of rings. I ended up getting the OEM size (71.5mm) instead of the one step up oversized rings.
I've read in here that some have used hose clamps or even tie wraps to hold the rings in while putting the jugs back on.
I've got a hone rig that'll take the glaze off the cylinder walls so the new rings may seat better.
I know some of you out there have done this task before, so I wanted to tap that resource before I screw something up and the wife gets on me for spending more money on the 30yr old bike! (but I love it just about as much as I love her )

[3Phase]

Are you going to split the cases or just pull the wrist pin retainer clips and replace the #4 piston?

It's been a while since I did the rings on my '80G but make sure you measure the pistons and cylinder bores before you break out the hone. Use the wrist pin that came with the replacement piston and do not mangle the retaining clips.

If it were my engine I'd split the cases and take a look inside. It's really pretty easy to do, it just seems intimidating if you've never done it before.

When the cases are split you can put the pistons in their cylinders and set the whole kit and kaboodle onto the engine, then slip the connecting rods over the crankshaft and tighten them up instead of fussing with a ring compressor.

While you have the cases split you can check the transmission, bearings, change the cam chain, put in new oil seals and you'll be able to spot any other... issues. That could save your life or at least head a few more repairs off at the pass.

[GLoweVA]

I wasn't planning on splitting the case, too much time involved. I've been without my ride for almost 4 months now.
Thanks for the advice on measuring before I hone and using the pin that came with the piston.
Never having done pistons before, are the clips that hard to get out?

I do plan on spliting the case sometime in the future in order to do the 2nd gear fix. (it very rarely slips out every now and then) Oh, and I'll clean up my oil sight glass then too.

Just got an email from UPS, the pistons are here !!
Now I've just got to wait for the rings.

[BA80]

You don't need to split the cases to fix the gear or the sight glass either. Both can be done with the engine still in the frame.

Unless you just want to tear it down that is.

[3Phase]

I wasn't planning on splitting the case, too much time involved. I've been without my ride for almost 4 months now.

I completely understand!

... Never having done pistons before, are the clips that hard to get out?

Do you have the right tools to remove and replace the clips without bending or scoring them? I haven't had any problems but other people have and it's not pretty if the clips break or pop out while the engine is running or if you slip and run the tool through your hand.

At 8,500 RPM the pistons are moving, uh, really, really, fast! and changing direction 17,000 times a minute. Be nice to the retaining clips.

Just got an email from UPS, the pistons are here !!
Now I've just got to wait for the rings.

Have fun and keep an eye on the transmission until you have a chance to fix the gears!

[GLoweVA]

Got it all put back together, but haven't started it yet.
The piston wrist pins weren't that difficult. I just used a small set of needle nose and they came out fairly ok. (One of them did fly acroos the carport)
My 2 biggest hiccups were:
- the 30 year old gasket on the bottom of the jugs. (took 2 hours to clean that mess off)
- trying to compress the rings while sliding the jugs down onto the pistons. (only had one big tiewrap and the hose clamp thing didn't work too well)

So, now I've got to get a few misc. bolts & some gas then I can hear it ROAR!
Then to figure out my fairing wiring, (didn't label the wires when I took them off) renew my registration and sync.
Do some break in time and change oil/filter.

I'm so ready to ride again!

[natemoen]

DO NOT START IT TILL YOU ARE READY TO BREAK IT IN. Restrain your desire to hear it and wait so that you can properly seat the rings.

[GLoweVA]

Thanks for Nate for the reality check.
I know I should do the break in properly, It's just been soooo long since I heard her run. I'll wait a few more days until I get the tags renewed and my replacement bolts, then when I'm ready to go, light her off, adjust the idle and break her in properly. Some time during the break in I'll sync, adj, sync to get her dialed in. I figure as the rings wear in, the vacuum might change some from cylinder to cylinder, so I'm probably will have to sync a few times over the next few weeks.