basement bike

[linmictil]

Put the new pistons in and got the cylinder head on. I know you more experienced guys have probably put them in a lot but after dinking around trying to squeeze the rings together with my fingers I finally reached up and got a package of the long matches you use to fire up a grill. With a little shaving on the bare end I was able to use them as a probe to push the rings together and slide the pistons in a ring at a time. No metal screw drivers as I am sure many have been tempted to use. Anyway-- I thought I would put this out there and maybe make some newbies projects a little easier. Now comes the (cut) endless timing chain. Hopefully I can get the soft stud master link riveted in without messing up the camshaft mechanism that Ed so skillfully rebuilt.. The old girl is coming back to life.......

[LOUD MOUSE]

Ya offer a good solution for a tool to install the rings and not damage them.
May I offer that a "Tooth Brush" with a tapered end can be a good tool to have handy at times such as this. .................lm

Put the new pistons in and got the cylinder head on. I know you more experienced guys have probably put them in a lot but after dinking around trying to squeeze the rings together with my fingers I finally reached up and got a package of the long matches you use to fire up a grill. With a little shaving on the bare end I was able to use them as a probe to push the rings together and slide the pistons in a ring at a time. No metal screw drivers as I am sure many have been tempted to use. Anyway-- I thought I would put this out there and maybe make some newbies projects a little easier. Now comes the (cut) endless timing chain. Hopefully I can get the soft stud master link riveted in without messing up the camshaft mechanism that Ed so skillfully rebuilt.. The old girl is coming back to life.......