ATHENA Piston Ring Set Ø88 mm for YAMAHA TT 500, XT 500 1976-1981

The ATHENA S41316338 set of piston rings (Ø 88 mm) is designed for YAMAHA TT 500, XT 500 from 1976 to 1981. Piston rings sit in the grooves of the piston. They seal between the piston and the cylinder, carry heat from the piston into the cylinder and, on a four-stroke, scrape oil off the cylinder walls. Once worn, they let compression leak past: the engine loses its punch.

Specifications

• Brand: ATHENA
• Manufacturer part number: S41316338
• EAN code: 8052780275040
• For ATHENA piston
• Diameter: 88 mm
• Engine: 4-stroke

When to replace it?

• Loss of compression and power, harder starting.
• Ring end gap, measured in the cylinder, larger than the figure in the manual.
• Ring stuck in its groove or showing traces of blow-by.
• On a four-stroke: oil consumption and blue smoke.

At every top end inspection, and at the latest when the piston is replaced. On a piston that is still within spec, new rings at mid-life bring the compression back. As a Cross-Mania guideline, the complete piston is replaced every 50 to 100 hours of engine running depending on whether you race or ride for fun.

Fitting tips

1. Clean the piston grooves (a broken old ring makes a good scraper) without widening them.
2. Place each ring in the cylinder, pushed in square with the piston, and measure its end gap with a feeler gauge.
3. Open the rings just enough to slip them over the piston, by hand or with ring pliers: opened too far, they distort or break.
4. Mark facing up, gaps staggered by about 120°, without overlapping the ends of the oil control ring.
5. Lightly oil the cylinder and the rings before reassembly, with a new top end gasket kit.

Why ATHENA?

Athena, an Italian company founded in 1973 near Vicenza, designs gaskets, pistons and cylinder kits for motorcycles. An OEM supplier to KTM, Ducati, Fantic, Piaggio and Triumph and a partner of the MXGP world championship, it develops its parts on the test bench and on the track with racing teams.

Spare parts and items to plan

• Piston : see the selection
• Top-end gasket kit : see the selection
• Spark plug : NGK

Frequently asked questions

Which diameter should I choose?
The nominal diameter of your piston, given in the title. The rings go on a piston of the same bore size.

Does the engine need breaking in?
Yes: one hour of gentle break-in, without sustained full throttle, so the rings bed in to the cylinder.

Compatibility

Check the exact model and year of your bike in the list below before ordering.

Fits:
YAMAHA TT 500 1981
YAMAHA TT 500 1980
YAMAHA TT 500 1979
YAMAHA TT 500 1978
YAMAHA TT 500 1977
YAMAHA TT 500 1976
YAMAHA XT 500 1981
YAMAHA XT 500 1980
YAMAHA XT 500 1979
YAMAHA XT 500 1978
YAMAHA XT 500 1977
YAMAHA XT 500 1976