Valve Cover Gasket

[cowboyup3371]

So I finally had some decent weather to swap out the shims. I put the gasket on, the cover back on with the bolts in but not tight, and the breather cover on. Before I start working on tightening everything, will it ruin the integrity of the gasket if I cut this extra piece between the two sides? I don't think it will but I'm not sure since this is the first time I've changed a motorcycle one.

[rcoville]

I doubt it will, but if it helps I can tell you when I changed mine about 6 weeks ago, the original one still had this "bridge" piece intact. (In other words, the factory guys just left it.)

[Dogma]

It doesn't serve any purpose other than make the gasket a little easier to handle. I wish RealGaskets had them. You can snip it after installation, if you like.

I've heard some talk of bonding the gasket to the cover and greasing the head so you can reuse the paper gaskets. I can't remember the materials to be used though.

[cowboyup3371]

Thanks guys. I took Basscliff's suggestion in his article and sprayed both gaskets down with WD40.

[nutsandbolts]

Mine is cut out and I've had it off and on 4 times with no leakng issues.