Waking up dad's TX650 in Colorado

[Wingedwheel]

I actually bought a special set of extended ring pliers because of that clip.

 

[Wagner73]

I actually bought a special set of extended ring pliers because of that clip.

...Yeah, I have 2-3 special extended ones for this task...just depends on the specific master cylinder and what works best. Sometimes nothing works "best" and it just takes a lot of perseverance!

 

[Leadville Bill]

Thanks for the photos and the explanations! What size ring pliers am I likely to need?

 

[gggGary]

I found I had to grind on even the special ring pliers from Mikes. Hint before trying to REMOVE that snap ring, Use a drift; push, tap down on the piston so it's separated from the snap ring, then free up the ring with some lube, a scribe $6 on amazon,

prolly found at any auto parts, tool place locally,
or other suitable tool, and some tapping twisting, snapping, once the ring is freed up, removing it goes easy.

 

[Wagner73]

...then free up the ring with some lube, a scribe or other suitable tool, and some tapping twisting, snapping, once the ring is freed up, removing it goes easy.

Always a best practice! And sometimes "goes easy" is the case, and other times they are a little bit stubborn.

 

[Wagner73]

What size ring pliers am I likely to need?

3 of my 4 versions shown. The one on the right usually doesn't work due to reach and the nubs that engage the holes on the snap ring being too large: the other two, one or the other, usually have a chance. And as @gggGary mentioned, sometimes a pointed pick tool and a little twisting works perfectly as well.