Motorcycle piston rings seal the combustion chambers. They prevent exhaust gases from getting inside the engine crankcase. Besides, they allow avoiding too high motor oil consumption, ensuring that it is spread evenly on the working surface of the cylinder.

Types of motorcycle piston rings

By functions:

• Compression rings. They drive the heat away from the engine and seal combustion chambers. They are placed in the upper grooves of pistons.
• Oil rings. They remove excesses of lubricant from the cylinder walls. As a result, the oil film is evenly distributed. They are placed in the lower piston grooves.

By engine type:

• For four-stroke engines. There are one oil and two compression rings on each piston. These components last from 100,000 to 200,000 km in that kind of engines. At the same time, the less the engine displacement is, the shorter is the service life.
• For two-stroke power units. Each piston has one compression ring. There are no oil ones. On average, the service life of the components is between 10,000 and 20,000 km.

By materials used:

• Cast-iron. They are robust and relatively cheap.
• Steel. They feature high elasticity and wear-resistance. These parts help to extend the service life of the power unit.

Malfunctions: their causes and symptoms

• Wear and tear. They are the consequence of long-term use. These motorcycle parts may fail prematurely because of dirt getting inside the assembly, for instance.
• Mechanical damage. It might be a result of the assembly being maintained not in a proper way. As a rule, the breakdown can be easily noticed right during the procedure which caused it.

Tips on how to maintain and replace motorcycle piston rings

• In order to extend the service life of these components, it is useful to change motor oil as well as air and oil filters in time.
• When new parts are being installed, they are easy to damage. Therefore, it is recommended to use special pliers during the repairs.
• You shouldn't use worn-out components as this produces a bad effect on the engine.

AUTODOC: only high-quality motorcycle parts

Would you like to buy motorcycle piston rings on favourable terms? Visit our online shop. We often have promotions that help you to cut down your expenses. Become a AUTODOC customer and enjoy shopping on a bargain.