head gasket

[uudfourty]

Howdy folks.

Head gasket has been getting worse and worse, so its time for a replacement.
While I'm in there, aside from generally cleaning everything up, is there anything else y'all think I ought to take a look at?

Thanks for your time.

[Nessism]

Replace base gasket, valve stem seals, and consider new rings while you are in there.

[uudfourty]

Would you get a kit or go OEM?
I was planning on an OEM head gasket.

[drhach]

I bought a gasket kit. I don't recommend it. The head gasket has been ok so far. Everything else leaks. My base gasket is weeping, the valve cover gasket is leaking. When I had the head rebuilt, they refused to use the valve seals that I gave them from the kit. I went out and bought a set of quality Viton seals. The kit was cheap up front, but now I'll have to spend more time and money fixing it all over again after only a couple of thousand miles. Others may have better experiences to report. I'm not impressed. As they say, "you don't have time to do it right but you seem to have time to do it twice." Go with OEM. It really is cheaper.

[NICK!]

I'd do a compression test and a leak down too if possible. If this engine needs rings or more thats how you'll find out. Makes sense since your going inside anyway.

If compression and leak down are fine I'd do valve seals as long as your in there. After all these years they have to be crispy. Look at your base gasket too, see if thats weeping as well.

Agreed, OEM only.

[uudfourty]

Only 13k miles.
I haven't had any indications of poor compression to this point.

The reason I suggested a kit was because It will literally take me months to come up with the cash required to but the gaskets I know I'm going to replace, let alone another 20 bucks for a compression tester, then however much a leak down gauge costs.

I'm going to go OEM with all of the gaskets. Thanks for your input. Nothing speaks like experience.

Head gasket, base gasket and valve seals for now.
I'll see if I can borrow a compression tester from someone.

On top of these things, I'm going to have to get some new airbox-to-carb rubber boots, clamps and little rings. That all totaled up is around 70 plus shipping from bikebandit.
I found an OEM headgasket on ebay for less than 90, but sheesh.
I need a second job.

I'm fixing to start turning out handmade chess sets on my hobby lathe if anyone wants to buy some for christmas gifts.

[Matchless]

Going with the OEM is a good decision. I am not sure which bike you have but I have had very good results with the latest Athena gaskets, that was only $61 for a full gasket set from Partsnmore. Some aftermarket items are just as good as OEM and cheaper.
Just mentioning this when I saw the $90 you mentioned for a head gasket. It is your decision and only my 2 cents worth.