I've had it with this GD bike

[txironhead]

The problem I've had finding lbs-in wrenches is that they don't go down low enough. Most I've found don't start until 20 or so. Even the one's I've found at Sears are tricky.

I think my manual states 6 lbs-in, which transfers to 72 lbs-in. Is this a misprint?

[SPARKSS]

The problem I've had finding lbs-in wrenches is that they don't go down low enough. Most I've found don't start until 20 or so. Even the one's I've found at Sears are tricky.

I think my manual states 6 lbs-in, which transfers to 72 lbs-in. Is this a misprint?

That should read 6 lbs-ft, which is equivalent to 72 lbs-in.
Check out 1/4" drive if what you're finding in 3/8" drive doesn't go low enough.
(or better quality 3/8" drive units).

[t3rmin]

I always did finger-tight plus a bit with the wrench until they were all in there solid and even. Never leaked a drop. So I can confirm that's one way to deal with a RealGasket.

[emjay]

"I've had it with this GD bike"

And I thought it was a GS. :-D

[ShirleySerious]

I thought I might post an update.

I put the Real Gasket on the shelf after finding a leak in front center of the valve cover. I took a tip from Planecrazy and got some Form-a-gasket. After following the whole procedure, I took it for a ride tonight. After about 5 miles, I saw some smoke. I went back home and took a look at it. First I checked the usual places; the places it's been leaking on and off at for the past few months. So far, I think the Form-a-gasket did the trick because there weren't any visible oil leaks. So where did the smoke come from?

This is what I'm thinking (can anyone confirm this). I haven't cleaned the engine since I made the gasket, so there's still a small bit of oil left over from when it was leaking. No puddles or anything, just a coating of oil and dirt in some places. Would that be enough to make it smoke? I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but it was pretty humid tonight.

[DickV]

Earlier this spring I had covered my bike with a waterproof cover inside my garage and I noticed some condensation on the bike under the cover, wiped it off, and started on a ride. Shortly into the ride I noticed "smoke" coming from the headlight bucket. Upon checking I found no burned wires and I coincidently did not use the waterproof cover again. I had no further condensation on the bike and no more "smoke" from the bucket. My conclusion is that I had some condensation inside the bucket that turned to steam when the headlight was on, hence my "smoke". Any chance some thing similar might of happened to you?

[txironhead]

Completely waterproof covers can do more harm than good. A quality breathable cover is great, but if humidity can't escape you'd be better off leaving it out in the rain where at least the rain could evaporate. I learned this the hard way.

My advice on the smoke issue would be to give the bike a thorough washing to try to get rid of any residual oil. After letting it completely dry, give suspect areas a thin coating of Tinactin spray. Go for a good five-mile run with a good range of riding conditions (make sure it's a dry day and you don't go through puddles) and then inspect the sprayed areas when you get back. Any leaks will be blatantly obvious.

[ShirleySerious]

Earlier this spring I had covered my bike with a waterproof cover inside my garage and I noticed some condensation on the bike under the cover, wiped it off, and started on a ride. Shortly into the ride I noticed "smoke" coming from the headlight bucket. Upon checking I found no burned wires and I coincidently did not use the waterproof cover again. I had no further condensation on the bike and no more "smoke" from the bucket. My conclusion is that I had some condensation inside the bucket that turned to steam when the headlight was on, hence my "smoke". Any chance some thing similar might of happened to you?

It appears to come from that area, but don't forget, the engine is right below there. I just had it in the garage for a couple days with about 85% humidity. It got a little cooler at night but the humidity remained the same. I'll try to find time to degrease it then test for smoke.

[Dave8338]

It appears to come from that area, but don't forget, the engine is right below there. I just had it in the garage for a couple days with about 85% humidity. It got a little cooler at night but the humidity remained the same. I'll try to find time to degrease it then test for smoke.

I've replaced valve cover gaskets and such on engines that were leaking and without a doubt, you'll have some residual smoke after things are put back together. CLEAN THAT BABY UP!! Then try it. :-D

[fgh]

Hard to believe but Harbor Freight has a 1/4" torque wrench in inch pounds for $25 to $30. Its accurate and consistent.

Just in case you didn't know:

Torque wrenches are only accurate from 20% of their max and up. If the wrench maxes out at 100 anything under 20 is unreliable.

[ShirleySerious]

My patience with this bike is wearing extremely thin. I'm getting to the point where I'm thinking of selling it and getting a bike that was made AFTER I was born.

I tried using an OEM paper valve cover gasket. Leaked like hell, used a lot of Seal All, in the end it didn't do Jack.

Bought an overpriced RealGasket. Had problems with torquing, ended up ruining the gasket trying to fix the leak.

Tried using Hi-Temp Form-a-gasket. The stuff is way too thick and the engine surfaces are way too narrow to make a good seal. Tried it and ended up (surprise,surprise) it leaked again. It just got to the point where I smeared a coating of Form-a-gasket all over the seam where it leaks the most. It looks like the front of the engine is covered in red peanut butter. A complete disaster. And I found a new leak tonight.

I don't know what the hell to do. Do I even need a gasket? It's not like I make adjustments or anything.

[Jaguarjoe]

I used the OEM paper gasket along with some Loctite 518 Gasket Maker. Torqued to spec with my Harbor Freight torque wrench and it sealed up just fine.
I use 518 on almost all gasket surfaces and I never get leaks with it.
I don't believe you can run without a gasket because the tach gear has to maintain a certain height from the exhaust camshaft that drives it. You would be too close without a gasket.

[ShirleySerious]

I'm reluctant to spend any more money on this problem because everything I end up doing to it doesn't help it at all. I don't want to resort to bringing it to the shop (goodbye $300+), but being recommended product after product, I don't know what to do. Everyone has their own methods of solving problems like this, yet none of them have worked for me.

[paintmann111]

could it be a exhaust gasket (the ring ones) that is leaking? I know when mine did I would see a bit of smoke coming up in front of the bike/ in front of the headlight.

[ShirleySerious]

could it be a exhaust gasket (the ring ones) that is leaking? I know when mine did I would see a bit of smoke coming up in front of the bike/ in front of the headlight.

See, I thought it might have been that back when I was first having these problems. Then the smell of burning oil and oil stains above the exhaust pipes quickly ruled that out.