Should I check my valves?

[giganticflying]

What are the half moon pieces bikecliff is talking about in this tutorial? What are they called and where can I find replacements (I might not need them, but just in case)?



Also, the gaskets at real gaskets are more than twice the cost than at Z1. Is there a reason to go with Real Gaskets over Z1?

[srg]

What are the half moon pieces bikecliff is talking about in this tutorial? What are they called and where can I find replacements (I might not need them, but just in case)?

I found these while reading this thread about my bike:

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?itemDescription=Cam+End+Plugs+%284%29+GS1000%2f1100%2f850%2fX400&item=MAVAP3001

[Big T]

The Real Gasket is supposedably reuseable

Just get a gasket from the dealer - I use Beaverton MC, cause they're right down the road

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

Along with the half moons-item 18

http://www.beavertonmotorcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=95103&category=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=1979&fveh=2141

[Steve]

Just get a gasket from the dealer - I use Beaverton MC, cause they're right down the road

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

Along with the half moons-item 18
http://www.beavertonmotorcycles.com/...1979&fveh=2141

YIKES!!!

$37.70 for a valve cover gasket???

$4.81 for each half-moon??

At Boulevard Suzuki, they are $28.73 and $4.62 each, saving you $9.73.

If you shop at Z1 Enterprises, they are $10.71 and $12.53 for the set of 4, saving you $33.70.

.

[Big T]

YIKES!!!

$37.70 for a valve cover gasket???

$4.81 for each half-moon??

At Boulevard Suzuki, they are $28.73 and $4.62 each, saving you $9.73.

Yes, but how much do you save after shipping? $3? and wait what, 2-3 weeks?

[Steve]

Yes, but how much do you save after shipping? $3? and wait what, 2-3 weeks?

Can't say about Boulevard, but from Z1, the total, including shipping, would be $29.64, and you would have it in two or three days.

.

[850 Combat]

Oh boy.. Looks like I need to retorque my head 13.75 times on my red 1000G, assuming that the PO never did.. I check my valves a lot less often than I should. I do check them though.

[Big T]

YIKES!!!

$37.70 for a valve cover gasket???

Steve

Your response got me to thinking, so I went into the far corner of the garage and checked the 850 gasket I bought 18 months ago - $26.40

It looks like this is one of those items, like the 78 petcock, that is soaring in price for some reason

[850 Combat]

I have experimented with aftermarket valve cover gaskets and half moons with good success so far. I have used a few, and have not has any grief yet. I have only used OEM head gaskets so far. I have also reused a couple valve cover gaskets with reasonable success.

I do dislike scraping them off. I like to use high temp anti sieze on the head side, and a thin layer of RTV on the valve cover side.

[Ghostgs1]

I have used the Realgasket on several bikes now and found them to be quite good and reuseable. There are some differences in using them, like low torque and definitely using thread locker. Can't be used on a top of cover tach drive. Ray

[OriginalOwner]

I just bought a valve cover gasket from Sirius Consolidated for $5.99 -- not sure if it's factory or aftermarket but it seems fine and is not leaking.

http://www.siriusconinc.com/pro-detail.php?pid=&product_id=3716

Hell, having owned this bike for 32 years, it's been through some lean times with me. I'm not proud of it but I can remember taking an exacto knife and cutting a valve cover gasket out of a Skilcraft Brown file folder -- and it worked perfectly for several years/many miles.

[aaaaaaaaaachooo]

I just did my first ever valve check/adjustment today.
I was a little hesitant at first, but thanks to this site & cliff's site, there was a plethora of knowledge, and I was much more comfortable doing it.

Do it. You have no clue what those clearances are at currently & as stated before, it's MUCH easier than replacing a burnt valve due to lack of proper maintenance.

[aaaaaaaaaachooo]

YIKES!!!

$37.70 for a valve cover gasket???

Got mine from Z1 for $12 + shipp.

[Wingsconsin]

When looking at a new to me potential bike I presume I will need to do all the postponed maintenence including the valve adjustment check....

Is there anything one can look for to avoid buying a bike that may already have a burnt valve problems. ?.?

[tkent02]

When looking at a new to me potential bike I presume I will need to do all the postponed maintenence including the valve adjustment check....

Is there anything one can look for to avoid buying a bike that may already have a burnt valve problems. ?.?

Compression check.