Motorcycle Repair: honda xl350 1975, honda shop, exhaust side

Question
QUESTION: which way does the piston go, there is a groove cut in the top of the piston and a triangle stamped in it. if i point the triangle forward (exhaust side) the groove would be exhaust side. Thanks

ANSWER: Sorry Mike but I'm not 100% sure anymore which direction.  I would have said that it points to the exhaust but the notch is for valve clearance.  The intake valves are larger than the exhaust so I would have thought they would have needed more clearance.  But on the other hand, the exhaust valves are typically open later in the cycle when the piston is closest to top dead center.  

If I'm wrong you'll bend the valves.  I'd better not offer an opinion.  A manual or a call to the honda shop would probably be your best option this time.

Regards
Rich

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks rich i went with the notch exhaust side, the shop manual i have just said the "in" marked on the piston goes towards intake but i believe this is a after market piston so i do not have factory markings. i turned the engine over to see if there was any interference and there was none. when i took it apart the notch was intake side but the engine had not been run and when i split the cases to see why it was not shifting right one of the two rear forks was dangleing and not even in place so after seeing that i questioned the piston direction.Thanks again

Answer
Mike, with what you just told me I'd recommend you put the indicator on the intake side.  The "IN" indicates the intake side on the stock piston and the triangle should also be used the as the intake indicator.  If you don't reverse it you may find that the valves will kiss the pistons when things get hot and grow.

Regards
Rich