how to change valve cover gasket

[NES07DEZ]

how can i do this project?

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. NES07DEZ,

What bike are we talking about? I guess it really doesn't matter, the procedure would be basically the same for all the GS bikes. Please visit my website and check out the Valve Adjustment guides. There is one for the 8-valve motors and one for the 16-valve motors. Be sure to order your new gasket ahead of time, probably some (4) half moons too. If you currently have a paper gasket, be prepared to spend some quality time getting it off. Be careful not to damage the head or the cover as you scrape.

Changing the valve cover gasket isn't hard. On my bike, I have to remove the tank, horns, breather, then the cover will come off. While you're there you might as well check the valve clearances.

Valve Adjustments (8 Valve)

Valve Adjustment for 16 Valve Motors

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Nessism]

First step for the project is to provide more information; model and year of your bike.

[NES07DEZ]

what are the half moon that you have to repalce when you do the valve cover gasket

[BassCliff]

what are the half moon that you have to repalce when you do the valve cover gasket

They are hard rubber gaskets on the ends of the head. It will all become clear after reading the valve adjustment guide (there are lots of pictures).


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[twr1776]

Not sure which bike you have but you will need 4 of part # 16. You should also get the breather cover gasket part # 7. On most two valve models you will have to pull the breather cover off first to get the valve cover off. Not sure about 4 valve motors. Cliffs tutorial should be all you need but a service manual is also good to have for reference.

http://www.flatoutmotorcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp

http://www.flatoutmotorcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp

[NES07DEZ]

sorry about that is a 1982 gs 850 l

[BassCliff]

To my 850G Brother!

sorry about that is a 1982 gs 850 l

Perfect! Please bookmark my little BikeCliff website and feel free to use anything there. You'll find lots of GS850G lovin'.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[NES07DEZ]

hey cliff i still dont see the half moon.
i have no idea what they look like.
i have looked at liks you shoewd me.

[NES07DEZ]

i already have it on my fav list

[BassCliff]

Hi,

The "half moons" are the black half circles behind the end caps, under the cover.




See them next to the cam lobes? The black half circles. A lot of riders don't replace them every time. Some even buy aluminum parts that are semi-permanent.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[NES07DEZ]

hey cliff i see them now!
Duah. lmao

[NES07DEZ]

should i tighten the head bolts olso

[Steve]

What bike are we talking about? I guess it really doesn't matter, the procedure would be basically the same for all the GS bikes.

First step for the project is to provide more information; model and year of your bike.

Not sure which bike you have

sorry about that is a 1982 gs 850 l

Can you see why we ask all you new guys to put a little info in your profiles?

Now that we know that it's an '82 850, I am going to have you take a good look at it before you order your replacement gaskets.

Some time during 1982, Suzuki changed the head and valve cover. Not sure if they started it in late '81 when the '82 models were starting production, or if they started it a bit later, during the '82 model run. Regardless, count the bolts holding the valve cover to the head. Earlier models had 16, later ones had 19. When you order valve cover gaskets, you will simply see them listed as " '79 to '81" or " '82 to '83", so don't mix them up.

Most other engine gaskets will interchange with other years, but one that won't is the clutch cover. '79 to '81 bikes still had the old cover that had room for the kick starter that only appeared on the '79 models, the '82 and up models had a cover without that bump on the back edge.

.

[Fenixgoon]

so let's say you wanted to *only* replace the valve cover gasket (on a 1983 GS650G to be specific ), do you just skip the valve adjustment and put everything back together?