O-Ring Assortment vs OEM?

[Sam 78 GS750]

Would I be ok using something like this here --->https://www.harborfreight.com/225-piece-metric-nitrile-o-ring-assortment-67609.html

I've been using OEM only, but the straw that broke the camel's back so to speak is that I forgot to order my starter o ring, and I don't really want to wait 2-3 weeks yet again to order OEM.

 

[Nessism]

It's very hit or miss as to whether that kit will have any O-rings that properly fit your bike. A lot of guys over stretch O-rings that are too small, or stuff an O-ring that's too fat into place. Do what you want but I don't like to operate that way. I'd either order OEM or get the exact size you need from an O-ring store.

 

[LAB3]

It's very hit or miss as to whether that kit will have any O-rings that properly fit your bike. A lot of guys over stretch O-rings that are too small, or stuff an O-ring that's too fat into place. Do what you want but I don't like to operate that way. I'd either order OEM or get the exact size you need from an O-ring store.

Agreed! Here's a good case in point. On one of the Virago owners forums the consensus was to go to the hardware store for the intake boot to head sealing o-ring, they also seemed to accept that "backfire through the exhaust is normal on these bikes" After shelling out more than I wanted for NOS o-rings, which where difficult to come across, that backfire almost vanished. Sometimes make-do is good enough, other times it's essential.

 

[robertbarr]

If you have the patience and a way to measure the ID and cross section that you need, you can try to check your results against an AS568 sizing chart; just google it. If you luck out, you'll find a 'DASH' size that fits your application. From there it's easy to find the O-ring retail. At worst, you can order a bundle of them from suppliers like Graingers or McMaster-Carr. You might have to order 50 or 100, but if time is a factor and OEM is either slow, backordered or nonexistent, that's one approach. Odds are you'll spend more on shipping than on the O-rings. If heat is a factor, look for Viton instead of Buna.

As Nessism stated, don't be tempted to squeeze or stuff something 'halfway close' in there... especially if there's fuel sealing involved.

 

[Sam 78 GS750]

o-ring store, you say? I didn't even know such a thing existed, Ed... :-k

Lo and behold... http://www.theoringstore.com/

So is this ---> http://www.theoringstore.com/index.p...ducts_id=40893 the equivalent of this ---> https://www.partzilla.com/product/su...3e5f2b2a77c371?

Am I correct in assuming the D:3 means a 3 mm cross section? I can't measure the old one, it was compressed pretty bad and I already tossed it unfortunately.

Not sure about the heat, Robert... I plan to order a few, but for the starter o-ring would that get hot enough to need Viton?

Also, for durometer... That site offers 50D, 70D, and 90D. Google tells me 70D is best for most applications. Is that what I should order?

I'm learning a lot about o-rings here in my quest to avoid long ship times.

 

[Nessism]

70D is good, and yes on 3 being the thickness (diameter). And also yes on Nitrile being fine.

 

[gustovh]

Have used HF O rings for a lot of years, they work fine, just don't buy the cheap ones.

V

 

[80s cars or gtfo]

Agreed! Here's a good case in point. On one of the Virago owners forums the consensus was to go to the hardware store for the intake boot to head sealing o-ring, they also seemed to accept that "backfire through the exhaust is normal on these bikes" After shelling out more than I wanted for NOS o-rings, which where difficult to come across, that backfire almost vanished. Sometimes make-do is good enough, other times it's essential.

That's funny! My first bike was a virago and that thing popped all the time haha.

 

[bwringer]

Agreed! Here's a good case in point. On one of the Virago owners forums the consensus was to go to the hardware store for the intake boot to head sealing o-ring, they also seemed to accept that "backfire through the exhaust is normal on these bikes" After shelling out more than I wanted for NOS o-rings, which where difficult to come across, that backfire almost vanished. Sometimes make-do is good enough, other times it's essential.

For the carb/cylinder head boots, normal hardware store Buna-N (nitrile) o-rings will disintegrate within minutes once the engine gets up to temperature. They work fine for sealing gas and oil at moderate temps, but they can't hack the heat.

But o-rings made from Viton can handle the temps fine. I've used them for years on my GS intakes.