Reuse head gasket????

[chuck hahn]

I usually wouldnt but was thinking to ask if a head gasket can be reused if you put something like Indian Head Gasket Shellac on it. Darn things are pretty pricey for the KZ engine and thought about maybe reusing this one...but of course I seek council first.

NOTE..there are no bad spots in it, its just that it has been torqued once at the prescribed 30 FT LBS.

 

[Nessism]

Do you feel lucky?

 

[hillsy]

If the gasket hasn't de-laminated anywhere I'd give it a shot.

 

[JJ]

I wouldn't risk it with a lawn mower, much less a KZ.

 

[exdirtbiker]

I wouldn't risk it with a lawn mower, much less a KZ.

I have re-used many, many lawnmower head gaskets. Even a few of the graphite ones!
If Chuck's head was torqued, but not run, I know I would try to re-use it.

 

[chuck hahn]

Its just like when it went in except its been squished. Its been ran maybe 200 miles or so. I redid the stem seals and lapped the valves when first redoing the top end. Got it fired off after god knows how many years and theres a knock from cent of the engine and right behind the clutch basket.

Guys on KZRider said it was probably the dampners in the basket or the primary chain. Rebuilt the basket with new dampners a member there sells and that wasnt the problem. Shoved the bike to the back burner most of the summer. Fast forward to this past weekend and yanking the engine and splitting the cases. See post #5657 here for the explanation.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?156280-what-did-you-wrench-on-today/page142


Thus my question on recycling this head gasket........

 

[hillsy]

If you have no problem with possibly having to pull the head again to put in a new gasket (IE: it's just your time, not a customers' bike), then there's little to lose by trying to re-use the old one IMO.

Worst case scenario, you pull the head again. Best case it works and you'd saved $$.

 

[chuck hahn]

Yes Hillsy that was a thought also. It only takes 20 minutes to yank the head and you dont need to pull the engine from the frame. I got the NOS primary chain on the way and that hit me for 214.00.....so yeah i am a bit pinched right now with the upcoming paycheck commitments for the next few weeks.

 

[Nessism]

The primary drive chain creates a unique sound. Sort of a grovelling sound. Should be similar to your CB550. Not a knocking noise. At any rate, hope the new chain solves it. You might want to check the damping rubbers in the secondary drive sprocket cush hub. If those have shrunk there will be play in the system.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Kawasak...ash=item5692a4ee49:g:zW4AAOSw9IpX1xlT&vxp=mtr

 

[chuck hahn]

New dampners from a member on KZRider forum. Maybe knock isnt the right description Ed...its like a grinding somethings getting hung up and not meshing sort of sound. I cant detect any play in any of the tranny bearings or the secondary shaft bearings ..nor are the shifter forks bent. In fact the sides of the forks dont show any real ear at all.. its like they are still in new condition.

The manual says the chain slack is at its service limit when it hits 22MM. Im seeing about 7/8 inch when i checked that detail so its ready for a new primary. Clocks only show 18000+ milles so Im thinking she was rode hard and out way because of the sound it made.

 

[chuck hahn]

Wrong dampners for this basket. Sort of a roundish hockey puck looking rubber.

 

[Nessism]

Not the basket, it's for the cush drive on the secondary drive sprocket. Grab the gear and try to rotate it. Dollars to donuts it will move 10 degrees due to slop.

 

[Sandy]

Let me guess primary chain with no tensioner. My XS750 triple had the same setup and yes after a while a knock at idle developed and turned out was a stretched chain chain slapping the engine case. Don't feel bad about $200.00. Mine was $100.00 35 years ago.

 

[Nessism]

KZ650's are durable engines. The chain shouldn't be trashed unless the engine has big mileage on it.

Chuck, is there a spec where you can measure chain length to judge wear?

 

[Sandy]

KZ650's are durable engines. The chain shouldn't be trashed unless the engine has big mileage on it.

Chuck, is there a spec where you can measure chain length to judge wear?

Hopefully the KZ is a better design than the Yamaha but mine got replaced at about 35,000 miles and the chain was well within operating spec. It's just that they didn't allow enough clearance for when the chain stretched a bit. Crappy design to be sure and they upgraded to a larger/wider chain when they went to the 850. Just an idea and easy enough to check with the cover off.

 

[JJ]

I have re-used many, many lawnmower head gaskets. Even a few of the graphite ones!
If Chuck's head was torqued, but not run, I know I would try to re-use it.

I guess it boils down to whatever you're comfortable with. If I take the head off an engine that has been running, a new head gasket goes on when I reassemble it. I really hate doing repairs twice when it can be avoided.

That's just me, though...

As Ed asked, do you feel lucky?

 

[chuck hahn]

ED..thanks for the cush drive clarification. Hadnt seen that so far in the manual. this for sure will be checked before throwing it back together. As for chain specs, the only one i saw in the manual was to measure the slack play by placing a ruler on the case and see how far the chain can be lifted up and down...much like testing the chain slack for chain drive bikes. 22MM is then stated service limit and at 7/8 inch im pretty sure thats about it for this chain. I suspect the original owner at some time raced the heck out of the bike and the chain has paid the price.

I plan on taking a pic with the new one next to the old for comparing the stretched difference.

 

[Brendan W]

We take the availability of new gaskets for granted.
Back in the day they didn't always have this luxury and the record is full of ways they found to keep going.
They might even consider us to be from a wasteful throwaway culture
I reckon the gasket is compressed and you will come back to full torque sooner and have less, if any, to make up on a retorque.
High build Aluminium paint is my wonder fix.

 

[Nessism]

I've got a spare set of the cush drive rubbers for the 750 engine. They are a different part number than the 650 parts though for reasons unknown to me. The 650 and 750 share the same primary chain but not those damper parts. At any rate, if your dampers are crushed down you might want to take some measurements to try to figure out what's different between the 650 and 750 parts. You need 8 dampers and that ebay guy only has 5.

 

[chuck hahn]

Wont be till Saturday whhen I get at the drive assembly Ed. What I can do is take some pics of them inn the calipers and PM you..maybe we can work a deal if yours are same. Yes???