Author Topic: RIK brand ring sets? (And what size ball hone?)  (Read 1264 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Scott S

  • Global Moderator
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *****
  • Posts: 8,234
RIK brand ring sets? (And what size ball hone?)
« on: December 08, 2016, 05:16:55 PM »
 Any opinions on RIK brand ring sets?

http://4into1.com/rik-brand-piston-ring-set-standard-13011-374-000-honda-cb550-1974-1978/

 And what size ball hone are you using to just freshen up stock bores?
'71 CB500 K0
'17 Triumph Street Scrambler
'81 Yamaha XS650

Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,183
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: RIK brand ring sets? (And what size ball hone?)
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2016, 06:51:05 PM »
RIK rings are good ones! I use them often.

The hone: you are better off with a (fresh, new) set of straight stone hones, which you can get at most auto parts stores. The ball hone will leave the distorted cylinders distorted, which is why the old rings leaked. On these Fours, the outer 2 cylinders always are overcooled, which makes them press in toward those 2 pistons: if you carefully measure the bores you will find the most wear on those 2 corners, in something resembling an egg-shape (blunt end toward the outer front corners). If you're lucky, it will only be a few ten-thousandths of an inch: if it is more than 0.0010" then your new rings will last maybe 8k miles before they lose the ability to seal, too. The best fix is to bore a step: this will restore round forever now, as the cylinders have now cured. Lacking that, the straight-stone hones will show you where the top ridge is, and you need to hone until that is gone. This will take between 3-15 minutes per bore, depending on how often you stop and clean the stones. Be sure to use some light oil while honing, too, which will ensure the stones don't chip.
;)
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline Scott S

  • Global Moderator
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *****
  • Posts: 8,234
Re: RIK brand ring sets? (And what size ball hone?)
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2016, 06:55:48 PM »
 Excellent.... thanks!
 Mostly, I'm just trying to clean up and reseal a spare engine. Just get the crosshatch pattern back in and do the rings, lap the valves, valve stem seals, etc, when I replaced the gaskets and pucks, etc.
'71 CB500 K0
'17 Triumph Street Scrambler
'81 Yamaha XS650

Offline flybox1

  • My wife thinks I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,289
Re: RIK brand ring sets? (And what size ball hone?)
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2016, 09:49:37 PM »
I used the RIK rings as well, and no issues.
My $20 Amazon 3stone hone was a 220 grit, and just took a short time in each bore.
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mineā€¦"