I just sliced off a piece of aluminum tubing (about a half inch long)........BTW, if your into upping the performance a little, now would be a good time to install some HC pistons...

I wouldn't mess around with the one GOOD cylinder if you're running on a budget.... just leave it together.
I would, however, buy a brand new piston and new rings for the DAMAGED cylinder.
For the havoc that a piston can cause if it happens to fly apart in the future, it is not worth trying to use a piston that has been subjected to an impact like that. Pistons endure a lot of different stresses due to heat and speed. My brother had a brand new piston come apart in a freshly rebuilt engine that never saw over 3,500 rpm, and this was a brand-new piston. (He got it shut down in time as soon as he heard the racket going on -and had a long walk home.)
I wouldn't chance using an old piston that has been whacked. Just my opinion.
At any rate, you will be looking at going through the "break-in procedure" to seat the new rings for the one cylinder.
May be a good time to upgrade to HC pistons, but them you'd have to use premium gas. And cough up more cash for the extra parts and labour.
.....What to do, what to do?
Think it through what ever YOU decide is best for YOU and your Roadie, Bro.

Doc, BB, Musky,Curt what do you guys think about the piston ? Should I use it or not ? I like to get the opinion of the experts.

If it's not worth it then I will get a new one. what about the heads fellas would you get a new head also ?

I know pictures would help but as said before I didn't get them.

I just looked at a Barons Z-100.mm 10.5 to 1 comp ratio piston set at Phat performance for $289.00
Is there any of you guys runnin these pistons ?

My mechanic told me that looking at the damage that I could go way overkill with replacing parts but now I'm starting to think about maybe installing some pistons while he has it down maybe


If so will it really shorten the engines life ? will it run hotter in traffic? I'm in Georgia and it's in the mid 90's here already.

Sounds like your valves are still good,and your right without a picture it is hard to say but my .03 cents would be to use the head if it's fixable since you said the damage was at the gasket area and not down the cyclinder wall. The piston I would replace to be on the safe side. But your the only one that can say as you have seen it. I also think I would take my mechanic's advise if you trust him which sounds like you do since you took it to him.

Flashback wrote:
I just sliced off a piece of aluminum tubing (about a half inch long)........BTW, if your into upping the performance a little, now would be a good time to install some HC pistons...

Flashback yes It's tempting are runnin high comp pistons ?

I have the hi compression pistons in the Chicken, and it does change the bike, the sound, the ride, everything. People hear my bike and wonder why their bike doesn't sound mean....lol.

Its a good hit if your going in anyway...

for what its worth guys, if the damaged piston only had pitting/dents in the crown [and no crushing of the ringlands] i'd re use it no probs,
remember, these motors run real low revs, and very low compression......
its common to use old/damaged pistons [so long as only minor crown pitting] again in high comp/high power motors.....get the head welded/repared, check the piston for ringland damage, and slot it right back in......lots cheaper than new pots,

dcoley wrote:
Flashback wrote:
I just sliced off a piece of aluminum tubing (about a half inch long)........BTW, if your into upping the performance a little, now would be a good time to install some HC pistons...

Flashback yes It's tempting are runnin high comp pistons ?

Nope, don't have em, but if I were in your situation, I would probably do it... I wouldn't worry too much about longevity of the motor, the bottom end of these roadie engines are built like a tank. Also don't think the heat generated by the higher compression would be an issue. If your sitting in atlanta traffic, your gonna over heat anyway...

Thanks Flashback, what brand of pistons do ya reccomend ?