Z900/Z1000 piston ring compressors - Is there a difference?

[Shed20a]

Good evening all,

I can feel this is a stupid question even as I'm typing it out, but I have to ask anyway...

I had a Wiesco 1015 kit fitted to my Z1B a couple of thousand miles ago, and I now have a weeping cylinder base gasket that needs replacing. I have a standard 903cc piston ring compressor that I've used up until now, but the cc of my engine is now 1015 which is the same as the Z1000, and Kawasaki supplied a different piston ring compressor for the Z1000 - Can I still use my 903cc piston ring compressor to refit the 1015 pistons into the barrels after I've replaced the base gasket? Or do I now need to use a Z1000 piston ring compressor?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers, Stuart[/img]

[RALPHARAMA]

If it isn't OK ... then cut up a biscuit tin into 3/4" strips the circumferance of teh pistons with tin snips. Get a second pair of hands. Cut up 4 thin bits of wood 1/4" x approx 1 - 1 1/2" x 3" ish. Do the inner two pistons first. Prop the piston skirts with the wood to keep them square. Wrap the tin strips around the rings holding them in and holding the strips in place with cable ties. As you drop the barrels down the strips will be displaced as the pistons and rings go into the bores. Much cheaper than ring compressors and work a treat. Hide the evidence at the end or yer missus will give you an ear bashing

[steve f]

i use fingers and a screwdriver

[Shed20a]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I prefer the biscuit tin technique to the fingers and screwdrivers though!

Many thanks for replying.

[Z1RII]

will work fine, i do use the 900 compressor for all bike up to 1100 unitrak. don?t press it too heavy and it will work great.

roll on!
amir

[RALPHARAMA]

i use fingers and a screwdriver

Remind me not to buy any of your ex bikes/engines

[Z1RII]

[scott]

Use your fingers mate.....you can feel them slip in nicely.

[Pigford]

Fingers work well, with a deft touch, its all in the wrist action

[RALPHARAMA]

Rings are tooooo expensive to take chances with these dayz! I've put plenty of engines together using the wrong/no toolz in my yoot .... but I know better now.

[Rich]

Fingers and magnum sticks - you get the benefit of having to eat the ice cream first

[Garn 1]

Shed, as Z1RII has stated, the 900 compressor will work, there will probably be, a little trouble getting it aligned with those piston wires, because Wisco have different dimensions to standard pistons.

The hardest thing will be getting the rings in, if there is insufficient lead-in taper on the sleeves. This is the usual problem. Biscuit tins, ice-cream stick & golf tees always work, however, that ring compressors makes the job easy.
Regardz.

[Shed20a]

Thanks a lot for all the advice guys. I must admit the more I've read here the more I wish I'd left my bike at 903cc! Mind you, the extra ccs have been fun. If you think it's possible for me to carry on using my 903cc piston ring compressor then that's what I'm going to try. If it doesn't work out than I can go on a comfort eating binge, and then try the biscuit tin and Magnum lolly stick route...