OK, tell me what I did wrong here...

[bucketsofgs1000]

Maybe its not my head gasket at all. Now that I keep seeing posts about the valve cover gaskets leaking like crazy, I wonder if I'm just seeing that leaking all over my head , running down the front and getting caught between the fins at the head gasket. I know the VC gasket leaks, but was ignoring it for now as I was concerned with my head gasket. I keep reading posts about silicone VC gaskets and think I will try one before ripping the head back off the bike. Anyway, just another thought on this.

[themess]

From what I've read, the MLS gaskets might be worse unless a machine shop verifies that the surfaces are very flat and very smooth. MLS gaskets were designed to fix a problem that shouldn't exist in an aluminum engine.

[bucketsofgs1000]

It IS the head gasket

I found my leak. I cleaned off the bike then took it for a hell of a ride and looked at it while running to find this image. I see little bubbles leaving the head gasket from the interface between the gasket and the head right at the forward, starboard head bolt. Take a look. I'll replace the gasket when I buy a house and get a shop of my own... hopefully the end of this summer.

[ron bayless]

I found my leak. I cleaned off the bike then took it for a hell of a ride and looked at it while running to find this image. I see little bubbles leaving the head gasket from the interface between the gasket and the head right at the forward, starboard head bolt. Take a look. I'll replace the gasket when I buy a house and get a shop of my own... hopefully the end of this summer.

That is where they all leak,mine is leaking there,thats why i have it torn apart.I am using a vesrah gasket on everyones recommendation.I understand the torqueing,warm up cool down and retorue the next day concept.it may be why we all have releaks after doing all the work anywhere from 800 miles to 2 years later.I am going to follow this advice this time.Also,if you pull the head,pull the block and replace that gasket also.If you already know this i apologize.Ron b

[steely]

Mine was leaking at the same point (at least I assume it was, my left jeans leg was getting oil stained). I have the motor torn down to the crank case at the moment and have all of the parts that I can off to the powder coaters. I plan to have a completely black motor when I get it back together.

[Suzuki mad]

My GS1000E started leaking from the left front cylinder head bolt position last year. Local dealer said to leave it alone as the compression was OK. Bike runs fine just loses a little oil. I can also see bubbles coming from the gasket and I haven't put a spanner to the cylinder head in anger (yet) since I bought her 2years ago!

I have more problems with the cam chain tensioner gasket sealing. It leaks and runs down between the barrels and through to the front of the engine making it look like the base gasket/head gasket has gone.

When I rebuilt the GS(X)1100ESD I had one of those multi layered silver gaskets direct from Suzuki. Fitted to the bike and 1000 miles later no problems. Just can't get the 4 bolts on the cylinder head holding the cam followers bars in to seal.

Suzuki mad

1981 GS1000ET
1983 GS(X)1100ESD
2002 GSF1200K1

[ron bayless]

My GS1000E started leaking from the left front cylinder head bolt position last year. Local dealer said to leave it alone as the compression was OK. Bike runs fine just loses a little oil. I can also see bubbles coming from the gasket and I haven't put a spanner to the cylinder head in anger (yet) since I bought her 2years ago!

I have more problems with the cam chain tensioner gasket sealing. It leaks and runs down between the barrels and through to the front of the engine making it look like the base gasket/head gasket has gone.

When I rebuilt the GS(X)1100ESD I had one of those multi layered silver gaskets direct from Suzuki. Fitted to the bike and 1000 miles later no problems. Just can't get the 4 bolts on the cylinder head holding the cam followers bars in to seal.

Suzuki mad

1981 GS1000ET
1983 GS(X)1100ESD
2002 GSF1200K1

You know,this is a recurring problem.I wish someone here knew how to solve it.Perhaps these heads are like disposeable,once they come off they arent useable again.Unless they get milled or something.I sure hope not.