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Now that's interesting, I'd have thought 6 lb. torque would be 6 lb, torque whether if new, used, or no gasket. Hard to imagine the threads, down in that hole would know the difference... I presume you meant the cover bolts, not the cam cap blots.
Compressed paper cycle and threads in a aluminum motorcycle eng.... Sorry, I'm just not getting it
And your Suzuki is...? Most GS models have flat paper-ish/cardboard-like gaskets. The rubber gaskets with the groove were a later invention.
The OP is also being unnecessarily coy regarding their motorcycle.
The best advice varies, but OEM is always best, and you can find NOS on eBay pretty often. Cometic is hot garbage, but Vesrah can be made usable. Sometimes. Overall, OEM is worth it and it's not worth monkeying with imitations unless you have no other options.
For the flat gaskets, a thin coat of grease goes on both sides, and you can indeed re-use the gasket several times. Pay careful attention to CORRECT torque and torqueing order as laid out in the manual.
It's almost never worth replacing the half-moon seals; new ones stick up and have trouble squashing enough to be flat with the head and seal correctly without squirting out. If you do need to replace these, use a teensy schmear of case sealer, not RTV. I often install them backwards so that the lip is on the inside; that way they can't escape outwards.

The original poster, aka OP, has not responded to anything in this thread??? Maybe he is not interested,I know I'm not!
The search feature is a wonderful thing!![]()
Yes, orig question has been answered, OEM is best... But I've got off on trying to figure how re-using an already compressed, gasket could effect striping the threads, as was indicted in post # 21... I'm always wanting to learn things that I've missed over the yrs..
I could be wrong but I think the point is once the gasket is permanently deformed (flattened) it may not seal with the factory spec torque applied to the fasteners. This may cause some to over tighten the fasteners with hopes it will stop the leak, but instead strip the threads.
Hi Guys, sorry for the lack of replies. i have been away. anyways i was hoping to hear of an off brand that works well. i have a 76 KZ900 Kawasaki and they want over $100 for an OEM gasket. It seams that i will have to go that route. , thanks for the responses. I am somewhat surprised that some are having success putting grease on a gasket. it just seams so wrong when grease is normally used to reduce friction. But in the end, what ever works , right.