Head gasket has arrived, isn't great news

[Guest]

To try and save myself a few quid I bought a NOS genuine HG off ebay rather than new from a dealer, but it's arrived like this:






I'm getting mixed messages as to whether or not it's OK to use, what's the general opinion on here please?

It's a stock 1980/81 GS1000G

[nastyjones]

I'd go ahead and use it. Shouldn't be an issue with proper torquing.

[Boriqua]

yea I got bit by the NOS too. When I received my valve cover gasket it was literally in a dozen pieces like someone had crunched up a bag of chips. Just went ahead and bought a NEW new one and it was cheaper than the NOS. I wont be doing that again

[Burque73]

That happens with other shippers too. I had a valve cover gasket recently folded when the box was crunched. It didn't crease though so I used it and no leaks.

[bwringer]

There aren't any oil passages in that area of the gasket, so honestly it would be fine to go ahead and use it.

The metal sealing rings around the cylinders are OK, the center tunnel section is OK, and the oil passages at the corners look OK too. I'd use it.