To get the RealGasket into place without getting too much oil on it, roll it up in a couple of paper shop towels, then unroll the towels on top of the engine and get the gasket arranged the way you want while the towels are still between the engine and the gasket.
Then tear the paper towels and pull them out in pieces, allowing the gasket to drop into place.
You don't need to get too obsessive about keeping everything surgically clean. You'll inevitably get a little oil on the gasket, but just wipe it off and you'll be OK. No need to start over.
I spray a little brake cleaner on a paper towel and use that to wipe off the gasket surface before placing the gasket. Just don't get any brake cleaner or any solvent on the RealGasket.
Several years ago, I quickly cleaned a RealGasket using mineral spirits, and it got... bigger. It was the same RealGasket, only two inches wider.
I said a few bad words, ordered another one, and stashed away the original. Last year, a friend's GS850 needed a valve cover gasket. I pulled out the old RealGasket just for giggles and found that it had gone back to normal! It's still on his bike, and has been through three or four valve checks with no problems.
Nowadays, I clean RealGaskets in the sink with warm water and dish soap, then pat dry with paper towels.
Then tear the paper towels and pull them out in pieces, allowing the gasket to drop into place.
You don't need to get too obsessive about keeping everything surgically clean. You'll inevitably get a little oil on the gasket, but just wipe it off and you'll be OK. No need to start over.
I spray a little brake cleaner on a paper towel and use that to wipe off the gasket surface before placing the gasket. Just don't get any brake cleaner or any solvent on the RealGasket.
Several years ago, I quickly cleaned a RealGasket using mineral spirits, and it got... bigger. It was the same RealGasket, only two inches wider.
I said a few bad words, ordered another one, and stashed away the original. Last year, a friend's GS850 needed a valve cover gasket. I pulled out the old RealGasket just for giggles and found that it had gone back to normal! It's still on his bike, and has been through three or four valve checks with no problems.
Nowadays, I clean RealGaskets in the sink with warm water and dish soap, then pat dry with paper towels.
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