Originally posted by jaypro55
Anyone who tries putting in circlips without a rag in the case is either just a complete pro at top end jobs, or a complete nut LOL. Saved my butt about 4 times when trying to get the one side in. We didn't even think of putting the one side in with the piston off the rod until I read through Eric's tips. It's tedious and you have to be patient, but I got it in there properly using the needlenoses with the opening of the clip as far away from the opening in the piston as possible.
One tip either Rich or MXTuner posted years back was to get a disposable plate the size of the cylinder or larger, cut a hole for the conrod? and slide it over, so you can't drop anything in there.
Ya, I still remember "doing" my first top end. These days my mechanic takes over so I just keep away till I hear him swearing at something & go see if I need to do something or keep well away.
I take it where you mention the "ring mark" you mean the locating pin that the gap of the ring sits? Single ring piston? You used new circlips and didn't reuse the old ones?
Your friend has remembered to put oil & coolant in the bike before going to start up?
One last question, when you torqued down the head, did you go across & not next to? i.e. 1,3,2,4 or whatever the order is meant to be?
Sorry for all the questions, it's just niggly little things that I remember having lectures on ;) Hope that doesn't start putting doubts into you. I can't remember what was covered by Eric, but I know it'll be thorough. And yip, I've learnt a lot here too :) (even if I forget the technical names for thingees & whatyacallits)