1980 GS550E top end gaskets check list

[Guest]

I plan to pull the engine and re-seal the top end of my '80 E.
Take a look at the list of gaskets I've come up with and tell me if I'm missing anything.

Vesrah VG-345 complete gasket kit $79.95
NOS Suzuki head gasket $33.99
NOS Suzuki base gasket $ 6.36
NOS Suzuki tensioner gasket $ 1.99
NOS Suzuki cam end plugs $11.00

Total .............................. $133.29

Prices listed are shipped and for all parts needed. For example, that's $11 for all four cam end plugs. I don't know why the Vesrah kit doesn't some with the tensioner gasket. From what I've read, the Vesrah valve stem seals are better than NOS Suzuki.
This gets me...as best I can tell....everything I need to do the top end and uses genuine Suzuki parts in the important places.
Thoughts? Am I missing any seals or O-rings or anything?

[Nessism]

Cam chain tensioner (internal) seals and O-rings, and same for the tach drive.

The OEM valve cover gasket is a superior piece to any aftermarket I've seen.

These valve stem seals are one of the few aftermarket parts that are superior to the OEM counterparts. https://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-GS55...VZub20&vxp=mtr

[Guest]

I only see one O-ring listed for the cam chain tensioner. I have some Viton O-rings. Maybe I can find what I need in my kit?

Suzuki valve cover gasket.... $12.99. That's not bad for peace of mind.


I added the valve stem seals to my watch list. How are the ones in the Vesrah kit?

[Sam 78 GS750]

A lot of folks here have had issues with Vesrah kits. Others have had luck with Athena instead. If you're getting oem head, base, and valve cover gaskets, get an Athena kit for the rest, and use the ebay valve stem seals nessism linked to...

[Nessism]

http://www.bwringer.com/gs/tachcableseals.html

http://www.bwringer.com/gs/camchaintens.html

[Guest]

Well, when I searched I found just the opposite. The search results said use Vesrah, not Athena.
I think....maybe I need to look again.

[Nessism]

Athena sucks. The green base gasket material is too soft and squeezes out. They may have upgraded that though. My experience is from a few years ago. The other gaskets are porous and tear. Seals swell. The head gasket was MLS and seemed the best part in the kit.

[Guest]

http://www.bwringer.com/gs/tachcableseals.html

http://www.bwringer.com/gs/camchaintens.html

Just bookmarked that site. Good, clear info there.

[Guest]

Hello! This is my first post but I have been reading a lot of the available information for the past few weeks. I have acquired my Dad's 1980 GS550E, he bought it March of 1980. The girl hasn't ran in a very long time. I have the heads off and am currently working on removing the pistons. I am trying to do some research on seals and gaskets, ahead of schedule so I can have stuff coming in when I start to reassemble everything. After reading this thread, I am curious as to which seals you went with and how did they do? Would you do anything different?