make a top end gasket?

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  • Prescot
    • Feb 2026

    #1

    make a top end gasket?

    Got a gasket kit that came with all the gaskets except for the top head gasket.

    Would like to get a nice laser cut metal gasket but since im cheap thinking about getting some gasket material from the auto parts store and making one instead of spending another $60-$70 for a gasket.

    Anyone tried making one?
  • Big T
    Forum LongTimer
    Past Site Supporter
    Super Site Supporter
    • Mar 2005
    • 12392
    • West Slope, OR

    #2
    Head gasket is made from specialized material you won't find at an auto parts store. Buy an OEM one from a dealer
    Valve cover gasket is about $25
    1978 GS 1000 (since new)
    1979 GS 1000 (The Fridge, superbike replica project)
    1978 GS 1000 (parts)
    1981 GS 850 (anyone want a project?)
    1981 GPZ 550 (backroad screamer)
    1970 450 Mk IIID (THUMP!)
    2007 DRz 400S
    1999 ATK 490ES
    1994 DR 350SES

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    • JTGS850GL
      Forum Guru
      Past Site Supporter
      • Aug 2013
      • 9735
      • GA

      #3
      Either OEM or Cometic can make a gasket for you. Those are the only two options I would consider.
      http://img633.imageshack.us/img633/811/douMvs.jpg
      1980 GS1000GT (Daily rider with a 1983 1100G engine)
      1998 Honda ST1100 (Daily long distance rider)
      1982 GS850GLZ (Daily rider when the weather is crap)

      Darn, with so many daily riders it's hard to decide which one to jump on next.;)

      JTGS850GL aka Julius

      GS Resource Greetings

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      • sharpy

        #4
        No No No. Get some paper gasket from the auto store and make your own head gasket. Cant hurt, but sure will be a steep learning curve.

        Comment

        • JTGS850GL
          Forum Guru
          Past Site Supporter
          • Aug 2013
          • 9735
          • GA

          #5
          Lets first define what "top head gasket" means. Are you talking about the valve cover gasket or the metal gasket between the head and cylinders?
          http://img633.imageshack.us/img633/811/douMvs.jpg
          1980 GS1000GT (Daily rider with a 1983 1100G engine)
          1998 Honda ST1100 (Daily long distance rider)
          1982 GS850GLZ (Daily rider when the weather is crap)

          Darn, with so many daily riders it's hard to decide which one to jump on next.;)

          JTGS850GL aka Julius

          GS Resource Greetings

          Comment

          • Nessism
            Forum LongTimer
            GSResource Superstar
            Past Site Supporter
            Super Site Supporter
            • Mar 2006
            • 35790
            • Torrance, CA

            #6
            Head gaskets are specialized. No way to make one at home.
            Ed

            To measure is to know.

            Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

            Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

            Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

            KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

            Comment

            • Nessism
              Forum LongTimer
              GSResource Superstar
              Past Site Supporter
              Super Site Supporter
              • Mar 2006
              • 35790
              • Torrance, CA

              #7
              This OEM gasket kit seems like a decent price even if it's missing a few gaskets...http://www.ebay.com/itm/112211769088...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

              Realize that you should replace the base gasket any time you pull the head.
              Ed

              To measure is to know.

              Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

              Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

              Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

              KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

              Comment

              • Andrew Vanis
                Forum Mentor
                Past Site Supporter
                • Apr 2013
                • 382
                • Albuquerque, NM

                #8
                Originally posted by Prescot
                Got a gasket kit that came with all the gaskets except for the top head gasket.

                Would like to get a nice laser cut metal gasket but since im cheap thinking about getting some gasket material from the auto parts store and making one instead of spending another $60-$70 for a gasket.

                Anyone tried making one?
                1981 GS750L - Owned since 1990 when graduated high school and since have been discovering all the things not disclosed by seller.
                1983 GS750E - bought in 2016 as a rough runner to use while rebuilding 81L and then to combine with ES to make one good one
                1983 GS750ES - bought in Toronto in 2015 on a lark as a non-runner, missing front cowling and exhaust - If you have a 1983 750ES front cowling let me know! Blue would be nice

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