Thinking of a Real Gasket valve cover gasket

[Guest]

So my vale cover gasket has begun leaking on my 82 GS 1000SZ. I'm thinking of installing a silicone RealGasket but came upon this thread in my search for all things GS related:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=192764&highlight=REAL+Gasket


States, basically, that if you have a tach drive gear in the valve cover not to use a Real gasket. Since my 82 Katana has an electronic tach this should be ok, right?


Thanks!

[TheCafeKid]

If there's no tach drive to worry about chewing up, you'd be fine. However, the few people I know who've used them, have either switched back to stock, or are heavily considering it. Their reason being the extremely light torque required on using these gaskets require you to constantly check the bolts to see if they've backed out from vibration. If not, it leaks like a sieve. If you over torque it, it leaks like a sieve. And these people actually ride their bikes more than every other weekend and when the weather is nice. Personally, I don't think the time or money savings of dealing with stock gaskets outweighs the pain in the ass but that's just me.

[evan132]

I,d have to agree. I tried one on my bike and it was extremely hard to get it torqued right so that it wouldn't leak. Its also a pain to install since it moves around constantly. I went and ordered a stock one right away.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I love my Real Gasket. I use Permatex Thread Sealer (NOT thread locker) on the valve cover bolts. I've never had a bolt come loose, but check them after a few heating/cooling cycles. After that, you're good to go. DO NOT over-torque the valve cover bolts. You want 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn past finger tight to get just enough "squish factor" (as Mr. bwringer says) to seal and hold the bolts in properly.

Those gaskets last a looooong time. I've owned my 850 for over five years and do at least 2 valve adjustments a year. I had to buy my second Real Gasket recently because I split the first one after I over-torqued it.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Missile99]

I have a tach drive gear and decided not to veer from stock. I suggest for the Real Gasket especially to mark across the bolt to the valve cover. It doesn't have to be permanent, just a good pen or pencil to see if they back off within the first few hundred miles. Good luck in deciding. It's like researching what oil to use. Lots of good views on these subjects.

[Smokinapankake]

Thanks for the input - I decided to go with good ol' Suzuki stock stuff.

[hampshirehog]

Thanks for the input - I decided to go with good ol' Suzuki stock stuff.

You might have to change that in a few years..........

You can't beat stuff with the red S on it.

[Smokinapankake]

Ya know, I thought it woulda lasted longer than it did. I used a factory gasket when I put it together.....

Ah well, I need to check those valve clearances anyway....