Can I make some float bowl gaskets?

[ggreenfield]

I tore up one of the gaskets during a rebuild so I may as well replace all 4. can I just get some cork (or something) locally and cut my own? Well I did that a time or 2 on my old straight 6 Chevy vavle covers and it was perfect.

[Billy Ricks]

If you have a steady enough hand I don't see why not. I would use felt though, not cork.

[LeeGS550E]

I found rubber gasket material through a local supplier, and cut my own. The rubber I chose is typically referred to as "Buna", and will not deteriorate in contact with fuel and oil. I couldn't tell you if cork would work or not. Funny story, my first attempt at making them was with some old inner tube rubber. I tested it in a pail of gas for a couple hours, and it seemed to hold up...but about two weeks later I ended up on the side of the road with gas on top of a hot engine...kinda scary. Please make sure to test the material extensively 8-[.

[bwringer]

How is making your own easier or better than spending the lousy four bucks each?

http://crc2onlinecatalog.com

[gustovh]

It's the satisfaction of hand made.

[ggreenfield]

How is making your own easier or better than spending the lousy four bucks each?

http://crc2onlinecatalog.com

Well I'm on a limited budget. Yeah - $16 isn't much but it is to me. That's gas to and from work for 2 weeks if the bikes running. Might even be more once I stop that gasket leak.

I've even seen people making them out of plain old cereal box cardboard. It seems that one of the most important things is to get the thickness as close as possible to OEM.

[mc9hundo]

I found rubber gasket material through a local supplier, and cut my own. The rubber I chose is typically referred to as "Buna", and will not deteriorate in contact with fuel and oil. I couldn't tell you if cork would work or not. Funny story, my first attempt at making them was with some old inner tube rubber. I tested it in a pail of gas for a couple hours, and it seemed to hold up...but about two weeks later I ended up on the side of the road with gas on top of a hot engine...kinda scary. Please make sure to test the material extensively 8-[.

Yes buna should do the trick. Its also know as nitrile. Itll have enough chemical resistance. If you want better then go with viton, but its not necissary for the aplication.

[mc9hundo]

Ive used a minila folder for a gasket in a minibike case before, just to get it running. \\/ I wouldnt recommend it on your GS tho haha.

[onchiman]

Yes, you can make your own. I've done it with cork material and it works fine. It is a bit tedious but a good sharp x-acto type knife and a straightedge speed things along. Just use material that's close in thickness to original.

[Nessism]

Auto part stores sell sheets of gasket material which will work. Look for a material that matches the OE gaskets - it's available (I have some). Cork is not the proper material nor is cardboard.

I've made plenty of gaskets over the years but generally prefer not to when coming to things like a float bowl gasket since leakage is a serious risk. I understand the desire to just get on with a project instead of waiting for parts to come in the mail. Just use some common sense and you should be okay.

[robertbarr]

The difficult part is making the holes. I bought a punch set for this purpose about 15 years ago, and they work great. Paid for themselves right away.

[pvtschultz]

I've made mine from Busch Light boxes and gasket sealer for Briggs and Stratton crank case seals. The procedure is rather simple. Lightly coat the oil seal or the bowl with oil, press onto gasket material, and cut along the lines. Coat with gasket sealer (helps to seal up the paper board material) and there you have it. I have never used this in a gas application though, just oil.

[Nessism]

Made a gasket for my 550 today. Took way too long but gasket turned out well enough in the end. Used gasket material I had laying around and cut the gasket out with scissors and an xacto knife. To make the holes I used a round tube which was sharpened and used as a punch.

Home made gasket on left. Hole on the bottom is not needed for my carbs so obviously, I didn't bother cutting it out.

[Billy Ricks]

Nicely done Nessism. Felt is the way to go. Cork once tightened down can tear up on something that small. You also run the risk of cork pieces clogging things up.