removing wrist/ gudgeon pin

[JJH]

I am doing some long overdue maintenance.  I have removed the cylinder and head.  I carefully removed the piston/ rod from the cylinder being careful that it did not hit anything.  I removed the circlip from the front of the wrist pin barrel ( a serious pain).  I tried to then push the pin out the front. No joy.  I heated the piston a bit and the pin move a bit.  Then I got scared and stopped.  I read a bit and it was recommended that I remove the pin from the rear.  Why would this matter?  I would assume the pin is symmetrical, but I also don't want to mess anything up.  I will try to remove the rear circlip.  Does anyone have any other tips, or failing that any new curse words to use? 

[Tony Smith]

The pin is not tapered - remove it which ever direction works for you. The traditional method of heating the piston to release the pin is to pour boiling water over a piece of old towelling and then wrap the towelling around the piston.
 
A better and faster method is to buy a cheap heat gun and give the piston a good going over with it - be aware however that a heat gun can pump a lot of heat into a piston - wear gloves.

Above all else do not spend money on a ghastly tool called a "piston pin puller" - if you need one of these you got problems and using one when you don't need it carries with it the risk of damaging the bore in the piston.

[mrclubike]

Like  Tony said
get a decent heat gun your gonna need it for other repairs anyway
The cheap ones from Orielys don't last very long
They burn up

[JJH]

Thanks for the help, first time doing this part, just being cautious.

[nhmaf]

Agree with the others -  remove the circlip from the front or back and go the direction you prefer (or is easier).  I tend to prefer removing the front one (seems to be easier to see/access for me) and sliding the pin back toward the rear.  A bit of heat, patient persistence, or some light oil and twisting back and forth of the pin (if you can get a grip on it with your fingers) generally seems to work on my airheads.

[Bob_Roller]

Just curious as to why you are removing the piston wrist pin .

[JJH]

Bob,
I want to clean the carbon off the top of the piston.  I believe it will be much easier off the engine.
Thanks,
John

[Bob_Roller]

Upon reinstallation of the pistons, there should be an arrow on the top of the piston, the arrow points forward .

[Tony Smith]

Upon reinstallation of the pistons, there should be an arrow on the top of the piston, the arrow points forward .

Ever since I got caught  by a set of aftermarket pistons that were not so marked I put a daub of paint from a paint pen near the forward wrist pin hole.