1980 GXS 1100 head gasket.

[Anonymous]

Bought an after market gasket kit, Italian "Athena", as you get an almost complete set of gakets, "O" rings, copper washers and the exhaust mainfold seals for the price of a genuine rocker cover and head gasket alone. Surprise, Surprise, there are no instructions and the head gasket is slightly different. No "TOP" mark and the corner "O" rings are separated. There are 4 individual twin "O" ring sets that obviously go in the outer corners of the block but under which layer? The head gasket has 5 laminations. These "O" ring sets have slightly different sizes so they can be matched, but if they are put in, how the hell will the gasket seal, they're about 1mm thick?

[Anonymous]

Head Gasket

Chris, just put a head gasket on my '81 1100, had gotten the same gasket set you have, I couldn't figure out the head gasket eighter, luckily I had an old set of Cometic Gaskets. The head gasket is one piece more or less with all the layers having folded tabs that held it all together, plus the o-rings were more or less made into the assy. I used the newer washer and other parts from the Athena set, but used the Cometic Head gasket. I know Dennis Kirk wants $113 for a gasket set, and some other on line places only want like $76 for a set, but you get what you pay for, will try to find out where I got the Comtic set and get back to you. Won't buy the Athena set again that's for sure.

[Anonymous]

80 GSX1100

Got in touch with the Italian company, and after a few problems with interpretation, they told me to stick the corner "O" rings between the block and 1st layer. I think they are having a lend of me because there is no way in hell that "O" ring gasket thingy is going to seal. I'll take your suggestin of replacing it with something else. Suzuki Australia quoted me AUD 90.

[Jethro]

Chris, I'd like to see a better pic of the bike in your avitar when you get a chance.