Tappet Cover Gasket

[Danie]

One of my R65's tappet cover gaskets broke when I removed the  cover.

Has anyone ever tried to make a tappet cover gasket for a R65 ? If so, what material should be used ?

Thanks

Danie

[montmil]

For a short term DIY gasket fix, try some sheet gasket material from an auto supply.

The OEM cover gaskets are rather thick but that may not be a real concern. Xacto knife and an approprate diameter bit of tubing - brass, steel, alum - with an edge sharpened on the outside of the tube will make a neat hole punch.

Remember that the valve covers do not require a gorilla-strength tightening... especially the center stud. Perhaps a light brushing of a gasket sealer will keep oil inside. These gaskets don't have a notion to leak very often anyway.

Order a fresh pair while you're putting around on the home brew version.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Monte

[steve hawkins]

Danie,

Take heed to what Montmil said.  I would just go and get a new set.  They are thick and are designed to compress when fitting them.  This means that they almost act like a sprung washer which stops you losing your centre bolt.

If you keep using an older gasket, it will lose its compressability and you could end up unwinding your centre stud when doing up the centre bolt.  Then you could lose both the stud and bolt somewhere on the hyway.

Don't ask me how I know this....

I would replace them at every major service.

Cheers

Steve

[Danie]

Thanks Monte, Steve for your advice. I will rather place an order for a gasket set then.

Cheers

Danie

[donbmw]

Here is a link to Real Gaskets. They are reuseable. I have been using these on aircraft for years. They are good for life normaly. On aircraft that can be as much a 2000 hours of operations. I am changing over on all my bike since I have some oil leaks to fix on the oil pan and timing covers. They are not cheap when you first get them but you will not buy another set.

http://www.realgaskets.com/index.htm

Don

[drewboid]

Real gaskets work for me. They are thicker and red so they are noticeable so you don't want them on your 100 point show bike. However - the softness and added thickness seals better than the OEM and they are tough and reusable.
I have them on all my airheads and also use the oil pan gaskets.  they conform to any deformation of the oil pan caused by previous overtightning of the screws.
I haven't used their carb gasket yet but probably will in the future.

[Justin B.]

I have read less than kind comments about the bowl gaskets from several who have tried them...

[nothing]

The Real Gasket carb float bowl gaskets have been working great for me for 2+ years now. I have had fewer seating problems and leaks with them than with the OE cork gaskets in this application - a little silicone grease helps them stay in place. I haven't tried their oil pan or valve cover gaskets, I've had good results with OE there.