Hey all,
My name's Jeremy and I'm from Toronto.
I have an '82 XS400 Heritage Special.
I'm pretty sure I need to replace my piston rings. After fueling up and checking the oil in the middle of a long ride, I had a bit of freeway to cover. The bike held on for about 20 minutes, then lost power. It had burnt through a fair bit of oil. Now the little pig will barely start. And it'll only stay lit if I give it a bit of throttle.
Anyway, the bike has low compression in both cylinders when I test "dry". After a bit of oil is squirted into the spark plug holes, the compression comes back, but not enough.
dry test: right 56psi left 90psi
wet test: right 120psi left 140psi
So I think I need new piston rings. Right?
Here are the questions:
1. Has anyone on this board done their XS400 rings?
2. Do I need specialized tools?
3. Is this something a rookie can do himself?
4. I have a manual, but it details the entire motor teardown - not just a ring replacement. Does anyone know where to find a "how-to" for piston ring replacements? I've searched here and elsewhere, but most of the how-to's I've found are for cars.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys.
My name's Jeremy and I'm from Toronto.
I have an '82 XS400 Heritage Special.
I'm pretty sure I need to replace my piston rings. After fueling up and checking the oil in the middle of a long ride, I had a bit of freeway to cover. The bike held on for about 20 minutes, then lost power. It had burnt through a fair bit of oil. Now the little pig will barely start. And it'll only stay lit if I give it a bit of throttle.
Anyway, the bike has low compression in both cylinders when I test "dry". After a bit of oil is squirted into the spark plug holes, the compression comes back, but not enough.
dry test: right 56psi left 90psi
wet test: right 120psi left 140psi
So I think I need new piston rings. Right?
Here are the questions:
1. Has anyone on this board done their XS400 rings?
2. Do I need specialized tools?
3. Is this something a rookie can do himself?
4. I have a manual, but it details the entire motor teardown - not just a ring replacement. Does anyone know where to find a "how-to" for piston ring replacements? I've searched here and elsewhere, but most of the how-to's I've found are for cars.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys.