Can anyone tell me if a vintage Saito FA40 (exposed rockers) is supposed to have a piston ring. I decided to de-gum mine and was surprised to see that the ring was not there. Can they break up a vanish?? There is a shallow groove around the top of the piston that I would have thought was there to take the ring. Maybe the very early ones had no ring, just a groove. Doubtful me thinks !! I do know that the current models have a ring. Any help appreciated.

Boz:

I don't know of any Saito engine that was not ringed. That slight groove you see may be the ring, and it's stuck in the piston.

You can use acetone to soak the piston, or MEK, or get it up to 300-350 degrees in your oven. It should come free.

Or you could cook it in antifreeze.

Bill.

Thanks William. In the vintage section another member suggested the groove might be what was known as an oil groove. He apparently came across the same thing on an old Saito 180 twin which also had no rings. I would like to hear from anyone else who may know for sure if my vintage FA-40 should have a ring or not.

Boz:

The FA-180T was a ringed engine. That one I'm sure of. Had one.

Unkess there was a version earlier yet that was ABC. But I have never heard of any Saito without ringed pistons. I know, I'm repeating myself.

Bill.