Valve Cover Gasket and "Half Moon" plugs

[Guest]

I've got my new shims and will be finishing the adjustment and closing her up later today. I've got a new OEM gasket and new "half moon" plugs. I just want to make sure I do this right.

I've read to oil the gasket on both sides? and my riding buddy said get some yamabond and use a thin coat on the half moons? I also read to use the yamabond on the gasket?

I'll be searching here and looking at the Suzuki manual today and I'd appreciate any advice you have. I had a little oil leak and have replaced the tach drive seals, too. I want to do everything I can to keep from having a leak.

Thanks!
James <><

[Nessism]

A thin layer of Threebond sealer on the curved portion of the half moons is a good idea. As for the gasket, a thin layer of sealer on the valve cover side will affix the gasket to the cover. If you grease the head side it won’t stick and you should be able to reuse the gasket again at your next couple of valve adjustments.

[Steve]

I sorta agree with Nessism on that.
You can seal the curved portion of the half-moons if you want, but I prefer to not use any sealer on the gasket.

Why? If the gasket is stuck to the cover, you stand a chance of tearing it or gouging it when you remove the cover for valve adjustment checks. There isn't much room, and the gasket makes it just that much thicker to try to slide out. I would rather keep the gasket with the head and slide out just the valve cover. Personally, I use either WD-40 or a light film of clean motor oil on both sides of the gasket.

.

[Nessism]

Kind of one of those flip a coin decisions: grease the gasket, no grease, or some sealer. Using a little sealer increases your chances of eliminating possible leaks/seepage but it increases the work and expense come valve clearance checking time.

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. GaThumper,

I use just a smidgeon of sealant on the curved part of the half moons. Then I leave them in there for 4 or 5 valve checks, or until they start leaking. Some even install them backwards (with the cap on the inside) so that they don't pop out and also guard against cam float noise. I haven't tried this yet, but I might next time I change them.

I also use a Real Gasket: http://www.realgaskets.com/files/motorcycle.htm

It's a reusable silicon gasket that lasts for years. There's NO gasket scraping! One caveat; If your tach gear is in the valve cover you must take special care to align and torque properly during reassembly. If the tach gear is misaligned it could get damaged. Note: These gaskets are put on dry and require only 15 INCH pounds of torque. I use thread sealant (not thread locker) on the bolts to help keep them snug.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[GaThumper]

Thanks everyone for the replys. I ended up needing a shim that I didn't have. I got 5 shims from my local shop and thought I had covered all the possible needs, but one valve is still too tight so I'll go back Monday and pick up a 270 and a 265 to be sure I get it right.

I picked up a tube of Yamabond. The only one they had was Yamabond 5. It's the black one and drys but doesn't harden ( I think that's right). Is that one OK for the half moons?

I haven't decided yet on the gasket. I may put a thin coat of Yamabond on the cover side and then lightly grease the lower side hoping that it will come off clean on the head next time. I'd rather scrape the cover than the head.

I didn't know about the real gasket until after I bought mine, and I still though about buying one and not using the oem gasket, but I read about some issues with the tach drive and decided not to try it. Now I think I understand the issue and it may not apply to my '79 GS1000E. My tack drive is in the head and I'll have to look again, but I don't think the gasket will interfere with it's alignment?

Thank You!
James <><

[Tom MLC]

I have the silicone gasket on all my bikes now. Re-usable, and never any scraping. It might be a wise investment for you the next time around.

Installing the half moons in backwards is the way to go. I found that tip here a long time ago. They can't pop out, and they can't pop in either. No sealant. New half moons are softer, and squish in place well enough for a good seal.