Cylinder Head Gasket

[Guest]

Hello all, I have 1980 gs850g, have to put a new head on it because the exhaust bolts broke off and wouldn't come out easy, got a new head with less bolts broken off, need some advice as to getting them out. Also wondering if I can reuse the cylinder head gasket or should I get a new one? They are pretty pricey compared to what I paid for the bike. Anyone have one laying around for cheap? I can't justify not trying to use the original gasket considering it's price. I also don't know if I need to have the heads machined or not or the cylinders honed. I did have it running before I took it apart, no leaks and no smoke. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also trying to put risers on this thing to handle 1" bars. Any triple tree swaps that will work? The originals have no way it seems to put risers on. Thanks Andrew

[Tom R]

Nope, not a chance you could reuse the head gasket, you could possibly get away with not replacing the base gasket if you’re real careful and don’t disturb it getting the head off, but those things really stick and the cylinder block may lift while your trying to get the head off. I’ve done it and got away with it, but the safest way is to replace them both. I’ve also pulled cylinder blocks and put them back on without honing them with no ill consequences, others may disagree.

[prosolar]

Also your local machinist can remove those broken bits for you, they are probably seized in the head and unless you have experience and a torch I don't recommend doing it yourself. Probably won't cost too much.

[cowboyup3371]

The price of the bike should not dictate performing all of the required maintenance with quality parts. Yes, that gasket is expensive but at least it is the correct part and one, if re-installed correctly, that will last you for quite some time.

Just my personal opinion

[bwringer]

To get OEM gaskets a lot cheaper, look up the current Suzuki part number then punch it in on fleaBay.

I don't know where they get them, but there are a couple of sellers who almost always have these. I scored an OEM head gasket for $60 (instead of $94) and an OEM valve cover gasket for $15 (instead of $31). The base gasket and o-rings were already pretty cheap from Suzuki, so I got them from the local dealer's web site:

http://www.onlinecycleparts.com/oemparts/c/suzuki_motorcycle/parts

Do NOT try to cheap out on these parts with "Athena", "Vesrah" or other imitation junk. This painful, expensive lesson has been learned the hard way over and over and over.

[Steve]

Sorry, but I have to be blunt about this. If you think the cost of a head gasket is too much, stop now, sell the bike. If you are comparing the cost of the gasket to what you paid for the bike, you basically stole the bike, you should be able to sell it as a parts bike or a "project" for twice what you paid for it.

Trying to resurrect a 37-year-old bike is going to cost you several times what you apparently paid for it. A much better way to look at it is ... WOW, I saved so much money buying this bike for almost nothing, it will be MUCH easier to afford to get the stuff to build it up RIGHT.

.

[bobgroger]

Look now for the future. I scored a complete 1100e OEM top end gasket set for $21 a couple years ago. I didn't need it, haven't used it yet but I have it if I need it
Unfortunately it won't fit the 1260 with a leaking base gasket....

[Mechanically Geeky]

I can for sure relate to a "budget" build myself, trying to get more fun with less buck. However I'm not very experienced with motorcycles, as I've only been wrenching on mine for a year now. In my opinion, you shouldn't try re-using the old head gasket. I've heard of a janky method of heating the rings on both sides with a torch to "expand" them so they compress again when torqued down, but why not spend a few dollars on a good gasket to be sure of it.

I'm fortunate enough to be close to a few old motorcycle shops, and picked up a old but still in original packaging head gasket for very cheap ($15). If you do want to cheap out on gaskets, learn to love oil leaks! If you do get the Athena head gasket, dont forget those 4 inserts on each corner that goes along with it.

[kochic]

I have a new OEM gasket for sale for40$.I would not reuse a fiber head gasket, maybe a MLS but only if I had no choice.
Marc
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