1978 gs1000e cylinder head cover

[Guest]

Does anyone have any tricks for removing a valve cover . Removed all 16 bolts and this bugger doesnt want to come off !! Lightly been tapping with rubber mallet and it still doesnt want to seperate ..
Looks as though the last owner liked to use lots of gasket sealer ....

[rustybronco]

Carefully tap a putty knife into the center of the gasket. Wash, rinse and repeat at various different points until the cam cover separates from the head.

Take your time...

[lrgguy]

Carefully tap a putty knife into the center of the gasket. Wash, rinse and repeat at various different points until the cam cover separates from the head.

Take your time...

Thanks ill give that a shot ... get nervous when prying and tapping aluminum ...

[lrgguy]

Are you suggesting tapp a putty knife in at side where half moons are located ? Cuzz you have the frame in the way at the front then carbs in the way at the back ...

[chuck hahn]

I stick my hammer handle in till its above the inner set of fins and give it a good pry up..snaps it right loose.

[lrgguy]

I tried that check !! Thats what I usally do to ... ill usally put a piece of thin flat stock steel just over fins so when prying the pressure is distributed and dont have to worry about breaking a fin ... this bugger is crazy glued on !! Lol

[lrgguy]

I stick my hammer handle in till its above the inner set of fins and give it a good pry up..snaps it right loose.

Chuck just tried a pry bar 3 ft long with wood over fins and piece of ood above pry bar ... ok I just picked the bike right up off the center stand !! Nothing .... no luck !!

[rustybronco]

If all the bolts are out, then wherever you can fit the knife into the gasket will have to do.

[lrgguy]

Chuck just tried a pry bar 3 ft long with wood over fins and piece of ood above pry bar ... ok I just picked the bike right up off the center stand !! Nothing .... no luck !!

Well last time I checked , there is only 16 bolts to remove .. correct ?

[rustybronco]

Let me go count the head that I have.

EDIT....16 it is.

[Morrison]

Heat gun first?

[lrgguy]

Heat gun first?

I had the cylinder head cover off my 650 last week and it was a piece of cake !! NEVER have I not been able to just tap and pry and it not work .. well guess I fire up the mini torch !!

[lrgguy]

Finally heating up with mini torch then working putty knife in area heated , I got it off !!