I have 125 hours on the bike and plan to change the rings. Runs great and I hate to pull it apart but think i should do the rings before the rings get thin enough to allow the piston to hit the cylinder wall.

I did a search for a "how to" on the siite but didn't come up with it. I did buy a manual but would rather read info from others who have done it.

Big questions so far.

Remove the engine or not?

Take the piston off the connecting rod to replace rings or leave it installed?

Break in using minderal or synthetic oil?

My other 2009 530 has 85 hours on it, burns about 100 mls of oil on a days riding but plan to replace the rings next winter. Will burning oil damage the bike?

should just be a matter of removing the plastics and tank.  Pull the head and cylinder, replace the rings and reassemble.  I'd probably run mineral for a few hours of seating, then synthetic and let 'er rip.  Good luck.

No need to remove the engine. Rotate the sub frame up to remove the carb and exhaust pipe. For me, a good quality long hex key with a dead blow hammer worked best to remove the head bolts. Just pre-tension the hex key with one hand to ensure that is doesn't slip. Those head bolts are tight!! Don't forget to remove the small bolt in the cam chain tunnel first.  The head takes some patience to get over the front cam chain guide, but it will come out. The OEM piston pin clip can be removed easily, however I found it virtually impossible to install without the proper tool.

I don't think running the bike while burning oil hurts it, as long as it doesn't get too low. Read up on the 530 pistons, the OEM piston, while very high quality, has less than a stellar rep for oil retension.

Edited by 556er, 09 April 2012 - 04:14 AM.

The 09 rings have been replaced by the 2010 rings that burn less oil.
My oil consumption went away when I re ringed mine with the updated part.

Thanks for the help. Plan to get started this weekend.

Dirty deed is done and the bike runs great, original rings were still in spec. Decided to pull the engine rather than try it installed. Very easy to remove.

I didn't pull the piston from the rod, decided to feed it in from the bottom. Was a PITA but got it done.

I am sure there is a better way but I didnt have the special tool to remove the piston from the connecting rod.

I changed my 08 530exc piston & rings at 300hrs. They were worn but the barrel was fine, still had the hone marks in it. I think I will change the 500's rings at around 200-250hrs only got 130 or so hours to go.

Pete