Base and head gaskets

[alke46]

No longer available at dealership. I'm shopping ebay and I see some from a place in Oregon that goes by the brand name of Nippon Machines.

Just wondering if any forum member has experience with these gaskets or should I just stay with the NOS oem ones from ebay sellers?

Nippon Machines lists the base gasket for my 1000E at $8.50 which seems dirt cheap. Is it true with gaskets that you get what you pay for?

NOS OEM ranges in price from $17.79 to $26.69. Of course, Nippon Machines claims his is better than OEM. Guaranteed fit and function and also made in the USA with materials sourced from here as well.
Chemically treated to seal against oil, water, alcohol, grease, air and gasoline and solvents.

I think I already know the consensus here will be to stick with OEM even though it is NOS.

[salty_monk]

Not heard of them personally. It's a lot of work if it doesn't work out...

[alke46]

I went ahead and ordered the NOS OEM ones on ebay. Base gasket was $17.79 and the head gasket was $53.95. With shipping and sales tax, the total came to $86.23.

Hope this is the last time I have to do this job.

[uk gs nut]

Nothing wrong with Cometic gaskets, I've had them on my GS1000/1085 for years. Just a check on head nut torque annually.

[phydeauxmutt]

No longer available at dealership. I'm shopping ebay and I see some from a place in Oregon that goes by the brand name of Nippon Machines.

Just wondering if any forum member has experience with these gaskets or should I just stay with the NOS oem ones from ebay sellers? ...

My only experience with them is that I have received a couple of valve cover gaskets for future use.
Have not even opened the package yet.

[alke46]

Thanks, I guess we will all just have to wait until you change that valve cover gasket. Please do a review or at least an update when you replace the VC gasket.

The information you can provide would be a good service to others.

[ItsBork]

I went ahead and ordered the NOS OEM ones on ebay. Base gasket was $17.79 and the head gasket was $53.95. With shipping and sales tax, the total came to $86.23.

Hope this is the last time I have to do this job.

Oof. That's about how much a paid for a whole gasket set that came with base gasket, head gasket, orings, camchain tunnel gasket, and gasket for all the covers.
Haven't had an issue with them yet aside from them being very easy to rip (I hate cardboard gaskets). Guess time will tell.

[Forden]

I installed one of the Nippon Machines valve cover gaskets, no issues or leaks yet. Fit was fine. We'll see how it looks whenever I remove it, likely this winter for top end rebuild.

[Redman]

I have noticed quite a range of head gaskets. Some cheap ones look about like cereal box cardboard, and Suzuki OEM (that I did get eBay seller NOS) is stiffer fiber material with metal on one side that is formed around and thru onto other side around the cylinder holes and stud holes. I can’t help but think that would provide much better service.

huh !
NLA for 79 GS1100 ((Errr, I mean 79 GS1000 that OP Mr Larry Alke mentioned)

hum…… next might be the early 80s models, eh

this past spring it seemed all were available for 82 1100G(GK).
… but last week I ordered pan gasket (Babbitt) and it was missing from my shipment,

////////QUOTE
For order #: 2563697, the manufacturer has contacted us regarding this order. This order contains one or more parts that are having a nationwide supply chain delay at this time. The part that is delayed, along with the estimated availability date, are as follows:
Part Number: 11489-45001-H17
Part Description: GASKET,OIL PAN
Estimated Availability Date: NO ESTIMATED RELEASE DATE

[Big T]

What's a 79 GS 1100?

[ItsBork]

I have noticed quite a range of head gaskets. Some cheap ones look about like cereal box cardboard, and Suzuki OEM (that I did get eBay seller NOS) is stiffer fiber material with metal on one side that is formed around and thru onto other side around the cylinder holes and stud holes. I can’t help but think that would provide much better service.

huh !
NLA for 79 GS1100

hum…… next might be the early 80s, eh

this past spring it seemed all were available for 82 1100G(GK).
… but last week I ordered pan gasket (Babbitt) and it was missing from my shipment, siad “back order, out of stock at Suzuki, no release date given” …… hum…..

This is the head gasket design I got with my pack. Has metal rings around the cylinders and has built-in red o-rings on the corners.
I'll have to take a look when I get home and see what brand is stamped on my gasket sets I have two and one was definitely better quality.

[Redman]

What's a 79 GS 1100?

opps. Typo. I meant the 79 GS1000 that the original poster mentioned.

[Chuck78]

Well I see some updates on the availability of some of these parts that are supposedly no longer available. Partzilla just lists them as unavailable, but now started showing an ETA on some critical parts, like the GS1100G/GS1000/GS850 MLS head gasket.
It now shows an estimated arrival of $255 days.. so at least Suzuki are planning on selling more of these when supply chain problems related to covid subside.