Like I have nothing better to do

My 74 Z1 has been leaking a bit of oil since I bought it 15 years ago from a friend just before he passed away. The bike is pretty much original With 24,000 miles except for new pipes, tapered steering bearings and a Dyna S. I have been hesitating to take care of the leaks  for the last 14 years. So I finally had enough and tore into it a few days ago. I like to make my own gaskets using Felpro Karropak gasket material 1/64 and using a light smear of Curil T2 Gasket maker. So I replace all of the gaskets including the oil pan along with shaft seals. I also spliced in a new harness for the alternator using a new rubber grommet. I like to strip off the cloth cover and use a strip of heat shrink where the wires go into the rubber grommet. Before I install the grommet I coat the area where the grommet sits with Quick silver bellows adhesive so they slid easy into the grommet. I seal the inside of the grommet with the bellows adhesive where the wires enter and also use the adhesive on the edges of the grommet. Over the years I found this has been the best way to seal that area. Still waiting on a few lip seals. While the covers were off I took the time to polish them. The bike should be pretty much leak free after to work.

 

 

 






 

I like making gaskets too but seeing this I might have to up my game. Started out making transmission, transfer case and differential gaskets for my buddy's 41' Dodge 1/2 ton weapons carrier back in 1980. Our favourite gasket material was cold pack beer boxes. We couldn't buy the gaskets but had a nice hole punch set. My buddy still has the truck.

So this was just released by PMC in japan:

japan.webike.net/products/26719496.html

its a metal core gasket set for the Z1 using a 0.2mm SPCC (steel) core material.  Supposedly it significantly reduces oil seepage compared to conventional resin-based gaskets, as well as not sticking when being removed.

I'll probably order a set for my winter refresh/service.

Let us know how they look/work. Probably one time use? Not a problem except for the valve cover and clutch cover.

wrote:

So this was just released by PMC in japan:

japan.webike.net/products/26719496.html

its a metal core gasket set for the Z1 using a 0.2mm SPCC (steel) core material.  Supposedly it significantly reduces oil seepage compared to conventional resin-based gaskets, as well as not sticking when being removed.

I'll probably order a set for my winter refresh/service.
 

   Interesting development.  The pic of the gasket material edge-on appears that the gasket is asymmetric in construction thickness.  Either that, or the pic shows an optical artifact of some kind.  We're curious which.  Please let us know when you get them.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

These look similar to the reusable Cometic “racing” items I am using for clutch and valve covers 




 

I have used the Cometic aluminum gasket with the foam and they are pretty good. I wish they were cut a bit better but for the cost I think I have settled on the standard paper with a smear of sealant. I think the thin 1/64 paper seals very well compared to the thicker gaskets you normally see. For the valve cover gasket I do use Versa in the 5 pack. They seal pretty good and better once compressed. I do use the 104 inch pound torque with a good wrench on that cover and never had a thread strip with minimal seepage. 

Hey Kelly, when you're using those beer boxes for making gaskets, you also get plenty of can metal for shims!  But then you have to somehow empty the cans first...    

sf4t7 wrote:

Hey Kelly, when you're using those beer boxes for making gaskets, you also get plenty of can metal for shims!  But then you have to somehow empty the cans first...    

That's always the easy part.