HELP! Lost pin clip!

[Colorado]

I was assembling my bored top end with a new Wiseco piston and one of the wrist pin spring clips went flying (working outside, like a knucklehead.) I can't find it :bang: :bang: .

Do I need that exact matching spring clip --- same wire gauge and spring tension? Or can I use something close if my hardware store has one? If I do, should I use the same thing on both sides?

A quick response would be great. I really wanted to get her back together today.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jstltreat]

I wouldnt put anything in to try to replace the clip. You should just go ahead and order a new one instead of taking a chance on ruining the new top end. Hope you find the old one.

 

[zookieman]

Go and rent a roofers magnet. The Kind that roll on the ground (for picking up nails). Or just buy a new circlip.

 

[Colorado]

Thanks,

That confirmed my instincts. It would have probably taken at least three "Oh, don't worry" responses to convince me to use something else.

But .... I have three Yamaha 400s --- a '75 MX400, the '78 IT400 which I just had bored, and a '77 IT400 which broke the con rod just below the wrist pin bearing connection. It blasted the rod through the piston skirt, cylinder sleeve skirt and both case halves (I really don't want to do that again).

Anyway, I've been using the piston from the '77 as an ashtray in my shop. I saw today that it has the same spring steel 'C' type retaining clips! What do you think about using THOSE? That doesn't sound out of line to the eager side of my personality. The cautious side (which is also the accountant) advises against it. I just spent $250 for a used cylinder, new Wiseco piston, rings, wrist bearing and p4 bore. The bean counter side can prevail if anyone cautions me.

Please don't steer me wrong.

 

[SpDyKen]

Bad karma from not rescuing that poor Maico. You know what they say, you get what you give.

 

[Colorado]

Bad karma from not rescuing that poor Maico. You know what they say, you get what you give.

Yeah ... I needed that!

 

[Colorado]

And Zookie ... the magnet's a good idea. I did ask a roofer friend for use of a free one, but the cheap b______ rents!

The bike shops are open tomorrow. If I have to order, I'll rent a magnet. I guess the used clips didn't impress anyone?

 

[The_STiLe]

dont use the old clips, new ones are not exspensive, but pistons are.

 

[Colorado]

dont use the old clips, new ones are not exspensive, but pistons are.

I stopped at a shop I trust today, and was told that used clips are probably OK --- if not usually advised. They just sit in the boss grooves and don't have much force on them. I tried to get a matching new one, and all they had was used. I showed them the other piston with the same clips, and the mechanic said to pry them out carefully and use the best of three (he gave me one) and I'd be fine.

BTW, if any of you didn't know, you can recondition and use copper head gaskets. Heat them blue hot, then quench them in water.

I may crank old blue over by the time some of you read this!

 

[zookieman]

why play with fire? using old parts (especially when their cheap ones) is not neccesary. If you were not supposed to use new clips why do pistons come with new ones? And every one knows why you are not supposed to reuse gaskets.

You Are asking for trouble bro.

 

[Colorado]

You can't get new gaskets for the 70's 400 anymore. The shop that did the bore cut me a base gasket. They were the one's that told me how to recondition the head gasket, and I confirmed it with the other shop where I went yesterday looking for pin clips.

I'm getting nervous now, listening to you guys, but it was professional motorcycle mechanics that gave me the green light.

 

[nickyd]

I am sure that you can reuse clips - in some cases they come out easily - are you talking about the clips that you pry out (like what comes with wiseco pistons) or the kind some yammys use (internal snap rings) - if its the latter, I'd feel better about using an old one IN A BIND - if its just a c clip, no way would I reuse it. Not after buying a used RM500 from a guy and having the clip pop out and destroy the piston and the cylinder (yes, he later admitted to reusing it)....now my trusty RM500 is worthless....it just sits whilst I search that auction site for parts....that was 4 years ago.

 

[Colorado]

They're wiseco C-clips. The one the mechanic gave me hadn't lost any of it's circumference, and was just as tight going in as the new one. Once they're in the boss slot I can't see what force is really against them --- are you sure the guy seated the RM clips into the slot correctly?

Anyway, you've sufficiently scared me that I'm not going to put the pipe on and start it until I try to get a new clip from the place that ordered my wiseco and did the bore (they were closed yesterday). If they assure me the old clip will work I'll risk it, otherwise I'll have them cut me another new base gasket, as I've already torqued everything, and start over. Grrrrrr!

 

[nickyd]

I wasn't trying to overly scare you - the clip was seated - for sure. I rode the bike for about 2 months before the clip went. I'm assuming that the re-use was the cause - it popped and drug itself up and down the cylinder - then melted into the piston. pretty neat stuff if you like destruction!! just kidding

 

[Colorado]

I checked to make sure I didn't accidentally post this thread on the Woman's Forum.

This morning I e-mailed my best buddy from HS, who is a trained motorcycle mechanic --- though he dispatches trucks for a living because it pays much better. He rebuilds old Z1900s and KZ1000s for fun and extra cash in his spare time, and rode dirt actively until his 17yr old son tragically died in a car wreck a year ago. He even had his own small private motocross track on the property he used to own until he got sick of neighbor issues, and his son did freestyle stunts at county fairs, etc..

I went to work, then stopped at the salvage yard/shop that did my bore and talked to their lead mechanic. He heard me out, then said don't worry, unless the clip was all bent to h**l. He's a nice guy, and I almost got the impression he wanted to pat me on the head to make me feel better. He said he's used used one's himself, and that I needed to relax --- it was going to be fine.

Got home and checked e-mail --- friend John in Indiana (HS buddy) said that the retaining clip was just that --- a retaining clip! There's no real force against it! Just a little drift! He was much more worried about the small amount of lip I had into the cylinder with the stock head gasket. I checked that myself to make sure the crown cleared (Tim, potential head patter, also told me to lighten up on that one), and torqued down. I'm going to put the pipe, tank, etc. on tonight and fire her up.

Of course I'm now Nervous Nellie with all of my more respected personal, real world, biking contacts. They'll probably be looking for me in chick gear at the track! I did see some nice used Gaerne boots in red that I will probably buy just so everyone can find me --- Hey! That must be him!

Look for me on the blue bike with red boots!

 

[Colorado]

Fired nice! Smooth as silk, but I'll have to go back through the carb. I must have done something quirky with the float needle/seat, because as much gas is pouring through the overflow as is making it to combustion.