I just replaced motor in my 954 because I had a slight knock and upon my research it was piston slap. I was told it was cause the 954 had oil pump in the front and starves cylinder. I thought that was the older 900's that did that? can anyone confirm this? been trying to find answer with no luck. I always thought the 954 pump was in the rear

 

There are many reasons that result in the cylinder scoring on the 954 but the oil pump isn't one of them. It's a design fault that is allso on few other Hondas. Main reason is the unsupported opendeck design of the alusil bores whit thin cylinder walls and the skirt design of the piston. It isn't so bad on the 929. Wonder why? Pic of a 929 and 954 piston side by side: