Oil Ring Procedure.
 

Just checking the ring end gaps and found the oil ring expander is a little large and not fitting right, what's the procedure here ? do I bend the ends, cut a section off ? also which way do the ends face when installed, up or down ? thanks in advance, off to google this.

http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/a...626512x384.jpg

Found this racing application, not sure if it's good for a dirtbike engine.

Install Piston Rings Maximum Power - How To - Circle Track Magazine

Read this article, hope it helps.

Mezo.

The oil ring expander size is critical & predetermined.
Do not cut it, do not bend the ends & do not overlap the ends.
The ends MUST butt together & can face either up or down.
The oil rails must be staggered from the expander ends.
The compression rings are another matter & must be fitted the correct way up.
The procedure is explained in the workshop manual.

Thanks Mezo and Bob I appreciate it, this is my first 4 stroke thumper top end job so the expander type oil ring is all new to me, had me concerned for a bit but now that I understand the way the design works not so bad, I prefit the piston into the cylinder with just the oil rings and the fit is snug but nice smooth movement, then again with all the rings installed and more of the same a really nice fit, at this point the piston/cylinder is bolted down and turning the crank over I'm very impressed with the end result, the machinist did a great job, he went a little fat on the ring end gaps at .021" on the top and .022" on the 2nd but I've heard of guys going even bigger with no blowby problems so I'm not too concerned, the machinist I used builds a lot of race engines, the specs I was going by were .011" to .017" from an 04 TT600RE manual.

Bob that shop manual you mention would nice to have, since I don't have one I've been taking my time and double and tripple checking everything, my beast is a 99 from Austria living in North America but never imported here after 95, so no manuals, no part numbers, I'm going by the 95 model and so far every 95 part I've used has been identical to my 99 :-)

Thanks again.