Scooterotica

so what do you do if yr piston uses the bent type wire ones but has no cutout to hoike them out, do you file the piston or what ? ive inherited motors that have had plain wire clips and they have been a right c**t to get out

I have never seen a tail wear completely through but they would given time so best to change when checking top end.If a piston doesn't have a rebate to flick the circlip out I file or dremil one in and use a small pair of long nose pliers with grooves filed in the ends to hold the circlip.Putting a small chamfer on the ends of the circlip will help to turn it once in the groove as the ends are cut sharply and dig in.Also I have had some pistons supplied with the wrong circlips ie Seeger ones in wire holes and visa versa so always check with a magnifier.

I agree with the guys that use wire clips. I never fit circlips with tails in.
A quote from a very well known two stroke tuning book (should have a photo with it but cant be bothered to upload it!)
"Circlips with tails should be changed frequently. The constant rubbing of the gudgeon pin against the circlip wears through the tail, allowing it to drop into the cylinder, scoring the bore and possibly seizing the motor."
Hope this helps.