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Head Gasket

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Looks like my Natchez Trace ride did in the head gasket on my 83 1100E. Oil appearing between the two middle cylinders. I was shocked at the price of a new head gasket. $77 at Midwest Action Cycle. Bike Bandit about the same. Don't even want to ask a dealer. Anyone know a parts source with reasonable prices?
 
Sometimes OEM gaskets show up on ebay for good prices. Worth a check. What ever you do, stay clear of cheap aftermarket gaskets unless you want to gamble.
I'm not positive but think I have a spare head gasket if you strike out otherwise. Drop me a PM if you want to discuss.
 
Are the aftermarket head gaskets as bad as the valve cover gaskets?
 
This is the line that should make you afraid: COMPARE TO PART NUMBER11141-49202 OR 11141-49230

Anyone that claims to be OEM and then puts the statement compare to should be avoided.
 
Check/replace the o-rings on nuts for the two center front studs. They crack and make it liike like a head gasket leaking.
 
Flatline_Racing said:
Check/replace the o-rings on nuts for the two center front studs. They crack and make it liike like a head gasket leaking.
Click to expand...

Good point. After your post I looked at the exploded view again and I see them. My bike only has around 15k miles so hopefully this is the problem, not the head gasket.
 
I went through two aftermarket valve cover gaskets. They both literally shattered and left town right at the cam chain valley. One was on a GS rally, so I spent the next morning putting on formagasket so I could finish the rally. The second lasted less than 1k miles later and it shattered at the same place. Fortunately, that was in Indy proper so I just turned around and went home. OEM for that gasket for me from now on.
 
koolaid_kid said:
I went through two aftermarket valve cover gaskets. They both literally shattered and left town right at the cam chain valley. .
Click to expand...

I'm about to install Z1. It's definitely not as wide as OEM.
Will report back.
 
ptexotik said:
I'm about to install Z1. It's definitely not as wide as OEM.
Will report back.
Click to expand...
What is strange is that I have always put Z1 aftermarket gaskets on my Kawasakis and I have never had a problem. I have used Athena and Vesrah, and the GPz has a Cometic head gasket.
 
Flatline_Racing said:
Check/replace the o-rings on nuts for the two center front studs. They crack and make it liike like a head gasket leaking.
Click to expand...

Thank you FR! I replaced the mentioned o-rings and after three rides no oil between the two center cylinders. Glad you saw my original post.
 
ptexotik said:
I'm about to install Z1. It's definitely not as wide as OEM.
Will report back.
Click to expand...

Update after 4 months: Z1 valve cover gasket has performed flawlessly ... and I've been 'under the hood' three seperate times. Think I'll stick with these gaskets.
 
The whole high performance scene has gone to the MLS ( Multi layer steel) head gaskets.

This is what comes from the factory on all the new stuff, Busas, ZX Kaws, etc.

The big nitrous drag bikes have gotten away from o'ringing and copper gaskets, because these MLSs will seal up even better.

Unfortunately in the GS world, they are not made in std bore. She smallest we carry is 75 mm.
 
isleoman said:
Big Jay, If it was your bike would you use a modified stock GS1150 head gasket for a Wiseco 1166 application or would you use the MLS gasket from Wiseco? I've read mixed results on this forum about MLS style. (I have one of each but haven't decided which way to go)
Click to expand...

You might want to look up Jim (Posplayr) for feedback. I seem to remember him ranting about a design flaw in those gaskets, after experiencing repetitive leaks tying to use them.
 
I used the MLS design in both my 750/850 and 1100/1168 rebuilds. No problem with either.
 
isleoman said:
Yea Jim's post was the one that put the fear of MLS in me, but Jay seems to be saying MLS is what everyone else and the companies are doing. I'd like to hear both sides. Do you not use gasket sealer on the MLS type?
Click to expand...

MLS is a type, and works well if properly designed and made. Jim suggests the Cosmetic gasket for that particular application is poorly designed and has a leak path. This has nothing to do with MLS, just that particular gasket. And I don't think you are supposed to use any sealer on head gaskets, although I'm sure some people do and live to tell about it.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=171295
 
Last edited:
I forwarded a link of this thread to Mike at Cometic Gasket. Below is a portion of the answer he sent me.


"On our first few mls gaskets we did have an oil leak issue on stock
applications. Our gaskets were built off of the Vortex heads and did not
have provisions for stock oiling passage seals, as the drag bikes almost
exclusively were using external oiling. Once we caught this we went back and
added embossing for the stock oiling passages and the issue was fixed.

I think the bigger issue at hand is that people don't understand how mls
gaskets work. They require an ultra smooth surface finish in order for the
viton micro-sealer to work; they also don't seem to understand that the
direction that the embossments face is not nearly as critical as the finish.

Sealers are not necessary with MLS gaskets. The reason that the sealers
should not be used is they can cause issues with the clamp load on the
gasket. If the surface is rough adding sealer is not going to fix it. It has
to be surfaced to a 50RA or smoother finish."
 
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