Ok, I'm about to put my piston on(wsm 73mm) and it has an f on it, does the f go to the right or left? There's no way possible for it to go to the front. Also where should the ring gap face? Hopefully I can ride this damn thing today

 

The ring stops and end gap on the piston rings always faces toward the rear(intake side) doesn't matter about any marks on top of the piston.

 

thanks, any tips on getting the circlip in? I got one in on the work bench, but the other one is giving me hell. Also how tight do the base nuts need to be, I.don't even see how.it could be possible to get a torque wrench on it

 

I had big thumbs(it helps) start one end of the circlip in the piston,hold it with your left thumb,I used a fine pick to gently snap the other end into the groove without distorting the clip or scarring up the piston. Some people use circlip installers,but this is something I normally didn't need.Even my helpers had me do this for them.Probably didn't help my hands either over the years,but this was my way. Make sure the open end of the clips face up or down,NOT sideways as the clip can be shot out under force.PLUS have a rag stuffed in the cylinder in case you drop the clip into the engine!! See if this helps any. Tech Tip 5 Proper Piston Circlip Installation | ATVConnection.com Cylinder base nut torque 25-29 foot pounds.OR as most techs did was just to criss cross the nuts very snug!