Topic: Re-ring or no? Good place to buy rings?

[matic00]

Hey guys,
I stripped down my 76 CB550 and I'm in the process of rebuilding the top end.  I pulled the cylinders off and everything looks good, measured the bores and they seem to be within spec.

I'm going to order a flex hone and hone the cylinders.  The question is should I go ahead and put in new rings?  I know since I've gone to this much work I might as well, but it's a pretty low mileage bike (around 20K) in good condition so I'm just torn.

Where is a good place to get rings at a reasonable price?  Will I need a ring compressor tool as well?

Thanks guys!

[Gordon]

If everything's in spec, and especially since there's only 20K on it, I don't see any reason to hone and re-ring. 

[Red67lemans326]

If you choose to get rings...ORDER JAPANESSE PARTS...Rings made in Taiwan and China have nicks around the edges that you can see and feel....meaning they will wear faster, and produce accel. wear on your cylinders.

I ordered RIK rings, and they were perfectly made. almost  80$ for the set(that was for my cb750K1)
While you've got the motor apart...just do it...
And yes, get a ring compressor tool...or Put the rings on and take the engine and pistons to a local shop and have them do it.

There are several big threads on many different forums on Flex hones "dingle berry hones" and why you should not use them, some say they do no harm....others say they are too "random" and won't produce a proper cross hatch. Do your homework before stabbing that spinning medevil stone flail into those poor cylinders!

[matic00]

I appreciate the responses!  If I do replace the rings I'll definitely get high quality, more than likely OEM, I don't want to have to do it again.  Even if it's not 100% necessary right now, I'm kind of leaning towards doing while I'm in there.

Red67, where did you order your rings from?

That's interesting on the "dingle berry hones", everything I've read on this forum indicates they're much better than than the stone type and almost fool proof.

I've done a lot of work this bike, but this is the first time I've torn into the engine so I'm just trying to do as much research as possible.

[rangelov]

The "dingleberry" (flex) hones are good for deglazing cylinder walls.  A regular cylinder hone can be preloaded to produce the desired finish and pattern   The pattern is a function of stroke and RPM, in other words: user input.  That means your results will vary, based on experience or luck.  The flex hone should be sized for the bore and have the correct grit.  With adequate skill, it will produce an adequate finish for re-ringing your engine.

I wouldn't mess with trying to measure clearances or re-ringing.  If "looks" OK, based on your low mileage; 'don't fix it if it ain't broke'.