Britbike forum Forums British Motorcycle specific Brands Triumph bulletin board Piston circlips.

Hello
I stripped my 1969 TR6C over the winter to investigate suspected piston ring blow-by. I had the pistons and bore measured - both were good, barely any discernable wear but the bores were glazed (engine built 10 years ago but has only covered 2000 miles before I bought it). The bores were honed and new replacement rings supplied to suit the pistons (Hepolites -see my other post). I ordered a set of new circlips 70-6869 from a well known supplier and these differed from the originals in that they have a bent back section like a hook instead of a plain split circle. I have since seen these (70-6869M) described as made for Italian pistons with bigger grooves....
So the question is are these types of circlips available for non-Italian pistons or have I been supplied the wrong circlips? It's not back together yet so I can remove these and replace without too much hassle.
Thanks
CAB

Here is another thread currently running with some good tips and as one would expect, a variety of opinions. They are beating tang type circlips to death
I'd only use the original tang-less type and I see no good reason to change. My 2c

The great circlip controversy aside, the ones you most likely received from your dealer are supplied by JCC Pistons. Both the original Hepolite and JCC circlips, although of a slightly different design, are both made from .050" wire and are interchangeable.

Measure the original and the new circlips and if the are the same diameter and wire size you are ok.

If you are put-off by all of the discussion on the other thread, the original Hepolite type are available from any UK dealer who trades with Velocette Motorcycles (a UK wholesale distributor). TMS comes to mind.

Thanks guys.
Scarey pictures in the other post,I hadn't looked at that until you put the link in.....
I will measure the wire diameter and the overall diameter against the original and check for flatness and make sure that they are sat in the groves.
Luckily I ordered a several sets (from Tri-Cor) for other bikes so I don't have to remove them to measure. I haven't disturbed the inside circlips; I don't intend to replace those although I could if needed.
Regards
CAB

New circlips (with the single tang) from Tri-Cor are made from the same wire diameter and have the same overall diameter as the originals.

Thanks for the advice.

CAB

I'd avoid circlips with tangs like the plague, or cut the tangs completely off.

" cut the tangs completely off."

Thats what I do.

With a dremmel not pliers so Im sure I havnt squashed the wire.

I just buy new ones from a Triumph parts dealer, it's not worth messing with them.
They are the same diameter 0.048" wire as the tanged JCC ones

davy

Seems a much better idea. The no-tang type have a much larger contact area too (about 330 degrees as opposed to under 300 degrees). How much are they, two for a quid?

Ok I give in. I've ordered the no-tang type so hopefully they will be here by the weekend and I will replace the new single tang type rather than cut the tang off and then get the barrel back on. The bike has done 2000 miles on the non-tang type so that type can go back in. I don't think that the single tang type would have caused a problem but if it ain't broke.....
I noticed that the new Hepolite (JCC?) piston kits come with the single tang type....
Thanks
CAB