What did you do to your motorcyle today?

[Bucko]

As 754 suggests, Cometic is your friend (at least for head and base gaskets).

[azr]

For Suzuki we've never had much sucess with aftermarket gaskets, although Cometic is better than the typical Versah and such. Just the head gasket alone is $100.

[Kiwi Canuck]

God damn header bolts.

20170511_183904 by Rob Ert, on Flickr

One was stripped, that was an easy fix by retapping and going further than the stock tapped hole. Then there was the 2nd one    busted off in the head. Drilled what I could and tapped with a 6mm . Everything is back together and seems to be holding but only some road testing will tell if it will hold for sure. I' didn't want to take the head off as I'm leaving for a trip in 3 weeks and then there's the issue of $350 for all the gaskets. I hate header bolts.

Rob, Murray from Modern Motorcycles told me he has 2 or 3 OEM GS1000 gasket kits, they are much less expensive that way if you ever need one.

I'll check how much next time I'm talking to him.

David.

[754]

I still have ones from years ago,some in packages..
 Best to buy that stuff ahead.. But you should mark it....cleary...

 I tossed a folded over and taped piece of cardboard about 17inches long, as it started to burn I saw the outlinne of not ( The man formerly known as JC )...but a CB750 headgasket....factory one of course................lesson learned...

[Wheels]

Why take the head off when he is leaving for a trip in 3 weeks.   Hold them in with a spring if you have to Rob and enjoy the trip.

[754]

Before you take the head off, make a fixture.
Fits snug to exhaust hole, and two holes for the studs. One should be sized for removeable drill bushing with helicoil size hole.
 Clamp on remaining stud, drill thru bushing, if that dont clean it enough, then pull the bushing and make a bigger one to fit larger insert or custom stud . Should be right on centre..leave head on .
 I would use a flat bottom drill if the hole has been started.

[azr]

I'd appreciate you looking into what Murray has David, thanks. And that's a good idea Frank, I've never done a helicoil before so I'm sure I'll be looking for advice when the time comes.

[GKBO]

I have a Helicoil set if you need Rob.Hate those header bolts so much ALL my Suzuki's have studs on the exhaust

[Wheels]

Rob,  I am not sure about the other guys on the site but I have done a few helicoils on my bikes over time and I feel they are stronger than the original aluminum threads if done properly.  If the Japanese were smart they would have come from the factory sleeved with helicoils but that would have been a tremendous expense.
Sometimes we simply break bolts or strip threads and thats part of our maintenance.

Not sure if any one else agrees with me.

[1000J]

Rob,  I am not sure about the other guys on the site but I have done a few helicoils on my bikes over time and I feel they are stronger than the original aluminum threads if done properly.  If the Japanese were smart they would have come from the factory sleeved with helicoils but that would have been a tremendous expense.
Sometimes we simply break bolts or strip threads and thats part of our maintenance.

Not sure if any one else agrees with me.

I agree...

[hardrockminer]

John, have you tried time serts?  I think they are stronger than heli coils.

Tonight I tried my hand at zinc plating.  I mixed up some Arm & Hammer washing soda with 5% vinegar and plunked a big block of zinc on the bottome of a 2 lb peanut butter jar.  For a power source I initially used my battery charger but quickly realized it was too "hot" so I tried a 1.5 volt battery and that seemed to be just about right.  I was doing spokes and after about 15 minutes I had what I thought was enough plating, but it was still a bit dull so I used some Mother's on it and shone the spoke right up. 

Only 79 more to re-plate!

[754]

Where did you get the zinc?

[Twisted_Twin]

Where did you get the zinc?

I'm guessing at a ship chandler...

[Wheels]

John, have you tried time serts?  I think they are stronger than heli coils.

Tonight I tried my hand at zinc plating.  I mixed up some Arm & Hammer washing soda with 5% vinegar and plunked a big block of zinc on the bottome of a 2 lb peanut butter jar.  For a power source I initially used my battery charger but quickly realized it was too "hot" so I tried a 1.5 volt battery and that seemed to be just about right.  I was doing spokes and after about 15 minutes I had what I thought was enough plating, but it was still a bit dull so I used some Mother's on it and shone the spoke right up. 

Only 79 more to re-plate!

Bill I have thought of that however June purchases our peanut butter in 1 lb jars so helicoils it is for me.

[azr]

 2lb peanut butter jar       I had no idea there was such a thing....