[phil_h]

Rob
- if you look at std duc pistons, you can't call them anything but short - so dont worry about that aspect
- if you look at the spec of thin racing rings, you'll generally find that they are better than the road-going ones - and thin rings in good condition on a good condition piston and bore will seal just as well as thicker ones - its racing pistons without oil-control rings that give problems on the road
- if you change the oil regularly you will tend to keep wear to a minimum - so you'll be doing that anyway
- if you keep the revs below maximum you will keep the ring temperature and hence their wear rate down ...

so thats all up to how you twist your wrist !

as to breathing oil - dont forget that worn valve guides will cause that too !