All 2st Installing circlips on OEM/Vertex piston

Wow!
What a pain in the rear. I'm sure there is a technique to it, but I do not possess it!

On the Vertex piston there is a recess that the clip must push into before you can begin installing the clip end into the groove. This recess compresses the clip and makes working it into the groove hard.

Visual aids:

Vertex.

Notice the recess where the clip must go into before you can start working it into the groove? This compresses the clip quite a bit and adds lots of tension making things hard.

Wiseco.

It does not have that recess. You can install the circlips directly from the outside of the piston without them getting pre-compressed.

So... what's the technique to getting those clips in from that recess? I did one side, but it took forever and I had some serious deburring to do afterward. I'd like to avoid that for the next one.

Maybe this tool will help www.buxtools.com

You just had to guess it's a special tool, right?

That's a pretty slick tool, but I'm WAY too stubborn (and cheap) to buy any specialty tools! I gotta do things the hard way.

Set the front or leading open edge of the clip in the groove at about 2 0'clock and work the clip int the groove a little ways back then let the rest come out the hole and lay along side the piston. Hold it in place with you thumb while holding the piston in the rest of you hand.

Take needle nose pilers and slide the bottom jaw under the clip and into the recess.

I acutally do all that with the clip positioned in the pilers in my left hand while holding the piston with my right, with my thumb over the hole.

Get a very light bite on the clip with the pilers, just so it can go flying, and rotate the pilers upward while levering the clip into the groove.

Simple, right?

So.... put one edge of the clip into the groove @ 2 o'clock (bypassing the recess) and let the remainder of the clip lay in the recess. Then just use leverage to work the rest of the clip into the groove? While using your thumb to prevent it from popping out?

Sure sounds easy.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. It's seems to be one of those things that you get a knack for, I use to do a few a day.

Maybe I can get my daughter to help me make a video.

I'm about to get schooled by your daughter?
:foul:















hahaha!
I really dont know why this is so tough for me, but that 1st clip kicked my butt. I'll retaliate tonight and try the calm and easy approach.

Yeah, I'll have her show you how easy it is.

No, really, she likes to make little movies.

You can also use an appropriate sized socket to help push them in.

Oh, and remember to put a rag over the bottom end opening

That tool is the business...gotta get it!

I hope the husky pi stons use the same size wristpin, cuz i already have the bux tool for ktm/kawi 250 pistons. We do 4-5 top ends a year (5 2stroke bikes in the house) so it was worth it for me. I tuff it out on the 200 piston since that's a different size and i'm cheap.

This is the 1st piston I've ever had issues with. I can usually do it without a second thought.

This Vertex piston has some strange things going on with it. I wish someone else would step up and offer a 300 piston.

i just did the topend in a buddies cr250 and the first one was a real booger, while holding the piston. the second one was super easy with the piston in place. i just used a straight steel pick for the install.