Piston Ring orientation

[Goocheyss117]

Hi guys. I'm sure this has been covered on here but I can't seem to find anything using the search. Anyways I'm in the process of rebuilding the top end of my 117 and i was wondering why there is 4 oil rings in my motor. I have the two top rings and then I have the top oil expander support, the expander, the bottom oil expander support and then there is another thicker ring under those. Is this normal? Also I downloaded the ring orientation diagram from S&S and I can't find anything in that whole manual about that bottom ring. They have the two oil support ring gaps 180 degrees from each other, but how should that one be oriented when putting it back together? Any help is appreciated. Thank you all. I have attached a picture showing the order they came off the piston.

 

[Jwooky]

@john sachs

 

[Sven]

Went to Honda school, they had a CB400F as a test bike. They lined up the rings all in one position, threw some miles on it, tore it down, found the ring harmonically rotate.

Been setting ring gap all at the rear, meaning, where I can watch the rings leave the groove and stop if it does come out. So I cock the barrel to set the closed end to walk into the grooves, then run fingers [into the grooves] to move the rings down the barrel.

All those engines [that I rebuilt] received the same ring lineups to the rear, walk the rings into the groove, zip-zop-plop is zero damage, zero oil leaks, plugs pulled with dry spark plug threads.


That's my story and am sticking to it.

Signed,
NOLTT

 

[john sachs]

Hi guys. I'm sure this has been covered on here but I can't seem to find anything using the search. Anyways I'm in the process of rebuilding the top end of my 117 and i was wondering why there is 4 oil rings in my motor. I have the two top rings and then I have the top oil expander support, the expander, the bottom oil expander support and then there is another thicker ring under those. Is this normal? Also I downloaded the ring orientation diagram from S&S and I can't find anything in that whole manual about that bottom ring. They have the two oil support ring gaps 180 degrees from each other, but how should that one be oriented when putting it back together? Any help is appreciated. Thank you all. I have attached a picture showing the order they came off the piston.

That ring you question is a support rail for the 3 piece oil ring. That rail goes on the piston bottom ring groove, with the TIT facing down in the wrist pin bore, so it can't rotate. then the 3 piece oil ring goes on top of that support rail.
John