Gasket Set - Can't Find Genuine

[Matchless]

Matchless,

What do you mean regarding "latest head gasket spec"?

It's the head gasket that concerns me with aftermarket kits, not everything else. Is the Athena head gasket fiber composite or multi layer metal type?

The earlier Athena had a fiber gasket with a large rectangular opening for the rectangular oring around the cam opening and larger holes on the 4 outer studs to accomodate some copper crush washers. I have a 1995 Athena parts list refering to that.

My newer full Athena kit (2006) did not have the rectangular oring included and came with a MLS headgasket (3 layers) coated with Viton rubber, it also did not have larger holes for the four outer studs. After communicating with Athena in Italy they confirmed that the headgasket was according to the latest OEM spec from Suzuki and that it did not require the rectangular oring. I have not found anyone who has bought the latest OEM spec headgasket for a GS1000 as most available still seems to be of older stock and thus not the latest OEM spec. If this is so the latest OEM should be MLS as well?
Some Internet research showed that aftermarket MLS gaskets have a thicker layer of some sealing compound to make up for any imperfections on the metal as these really require a near perfect smooth finish and that most new cars are using these now.
I have installed the MLS head gasket without any oring or any seals around the outer studs as this new head gasket provides that seal and have had no leaks to date, but will only be able to really give more reliable feedback in a few years time...!
Just a comment, my old gasket that came out was also a MLS type, but was covered with a thin layer of silver like paint, and also covered the oring opening. This was fitted in 1994 when the engine was rebuilt. A friend of mine salvaged it, cleaned it and lightly sprayed it with high temperature silver engine paint and fitted on his GS1000 and has since done quite a few hundred kilometers without any problems.
Hope this helps.

[pete]

Thanks for the link Matchless, that's a good backup if I can't find OEM ones over here for a reasonable price. $56 US will make it about $81.60 Australian going by the current Google converter exchange rate, which is pretty good.

The gasket's currently listed as backordered at the moment, but hopefully if I do need them they get some back in stock.

[Nessism]

MLS head gasket is good I think. Not sure actually. My project budget is seriously in trouble so might have to gamble on an Athena set.