What did you do to your bike today?

[3Phase]

I'm not as concerned about the Permatex melting as I am about getting the valve cover off after it's cured and baked!

I know intellectually that the stuff comes in all sorts of different colors now but RED Loctite used to be the next best thing to a permanent joint between two parts and it could withstand almost anything short of a nuclear explosion.

.

[Aches n Pains]

From the Permatex site

Suggested motorcycle uses
Suggested Applications: Water pumps, thermostat housings, transmission pans, transmission case covers, transaxle casings, o-ring replacement. Doesn't mention valve cover gaskets.

Removal
Parts disassemble easily even after extended service. Old gasket material can be removed in minutes with a simple putty knife.

Operating temperature
For their "High Temp Anaerobic Flange Sealant." - A high temperature sealant specially engineered for making or dressing gaskets in rigid assemblies. Able to withstand temperatures to 400°F (204°C), fills gaps up to 0.020” (primed) and permits clamping loads to be maintained for strong, leakproof assemblies.

I'm sure I saw a 300 degree figure for their regular Anaerobic Sealant but for the life of me I can't find it again.

Aches n Pains

[3Phase]

I bought the stuff last year but it's a hassle taking everything off to get at the valve covers so I had to do some reverse research before I could remember why I bought the Permatex 518 instead of the 510: the 518 formula is specifically recommended for use with aluminum.

Of course all of the online and promotional blurbs say it's easy to remove the stuff but this'll be the first time I have used it! Hopefully it won't melt and it'll be a long, long, long time before I have to remove the valve cover again.

To get at the valves I have to: remove the seat; gas tank; fairing lowers; fairing and fairing bracket; cut the zip-ties that hold the spark plug wire boots on the Accel ignition coil posts; remove the spark plug wires; fish the valve cover off of the engine and out of the frame without breaking the gasket -- FAIL!.

I assure you that assembly is nowhere even close to the utter simplicity that is disassembly.

.

[MPittma100]

Valve Cover Sealing

If you are not happy with using a valve cover by itself, try a thin coating to both sides of the gasket of Permatex Ultra Grey.

Works great and it matches the aluminum color of the head and valve cover (unless it is black).

I used it for years on engines - motorcycle and others. Also does a great job of sealing the two camshaft plugs.

Mike

[3Phase]

Mike,

I'm not sure why but the valve cover gasket, even a gasket sealed with silicon, always starts to seep a little around the edges and the camshaft end plugs after a few thousand miles so I'm trying to get away from silicon and gaskets.

The precut gaskets are way too expensive for my blood so I just buy a sheet of gasket paper and make my own gaskets. It's a little tedious and it's annoying when I get to the very last cut and --- oops! I tore it!

.

[motoman]

+1 what Pittma100 stated. You've seen my motor to know that there's not so much as a weep from pan, clutch cover, shift covers nor valve cover/cam-end plugs. Non of which have gaskets(newOEM gaskets still on shelf).

That I did several years back when dropping shaft assembly out bottom of bike to do the tranny fix. Bike obviously doesn't get the use/miles yours does Scott, but the thin film of Ultra Grey on all those machined surfaces, and a bit heavier dob in corners of cam-end plugs has it sealed up tigher than a ducks *ss.

JAT if the anaerobic permatex doesn't do the trick.

[3Phase]

I think y'all are not understanding something here: I've used the gray Permatex and Yamabond, with and without gaskets and the extra bead around the camshaft plugs; "The Right Stuff!"; it's all eventually started to seep!

Brant, the valve cover on my XS wouldn't leak a drop of oil either if I left it frozen in the garage all year and rode an ST11 or an electric scooter! LMAO! <G,D&R>

.

[BA80]

I'll use Threebond almost anywhere but the valve cover. I'll spend the extra $10-$12 for a gasket there.

[Winterhawk]

This morning I replaced the camshaft plugs under the valve cover, a standard front master cylinder at the proper angle, a voltage regulator, blade fuses, Mac 4 into 1 header and sealed the cam tensioner plug.

Just got off it and it runs great

[natemoen]

I used that anaerobic sealant as a base gasket a couple years ago, no problems here.

[motoman]

I'll use Threebond almost anywhere but the valve cover. I'll spend the extra $10-$12 for a gasket there.

+1...........a weep there migrates to some strange places......and have an extra OEM one 'just in case', since the one on there has one break in it.
Likely gonna have to do better than 12K of riding it in 7yrs. before that happens though.

I DID,,,,,while walking by it today, lit its fire just so it wouldn't feel TOO neglected.

[3Phase]

Abbott: "Same as you! Same as YOU! I throw the ball to Who.
Whoever it is drops the ball and the guy runs to second.
Who picks up the ball and throws it to What.
What throws it to I Don’t Know.
I Don’t Know throws it back to Tomorrow, Triple play!
Another guy gets up and hits a long fly ball to Because.
Why? I don’t know! He’s on third and I don’t give a darn!"

Abbott: "Threebond?"

Costello: "I said, "I don't give a darn!""

Abbott: "Oh, that's our shortstop."

Costello: "Eee! Eee! Eee! Eee! Eee Eee Eeee!"

.

[3Phase]

Ouch

Today I tested the tip-over switch and the automatic shut-of feature of the fuel taps.

I guess there's still a little mold release or something on the back tire because when I went out of my driveway and crossed the paint strip in the middle of the street -- that quick! down we went in a huge sweeping arc of engine roar, thrown asphalt chips, ground chrome and black rubber!

I learned a neat trick the other day from Bigfoot so I did not try to put my foot down and catch the bike. Thank! You! Harry!

My neighbors immediately ran out to make sure I was alright and helped get Columbo back on his 'feet'. I'm not really surprised but definitely pleased that the tip-over switch and the fuel shut-offs all work just fine and dandy!


I think I need a beer... or something.

.

[BA80]

Abbott: "Same as you! Same as YOU! I throw the ball to Who.
Whoever it is drops the ball and the guy runs to second.
Who picks up the ball and throws it to What.
What throws it to I Don’t Know.
I Don’t Know throws it back to Tomorrow, Triple play!
Another guy gets up and hits a long fly ball to Because.
Why? I don’t know! He’s on third and I don’t give a darn!"

Abbott: "Threebond?"

Costello: "I said, "I don't give a darn!""

Abbott: "Oh, that's our shortstop."

Costello: "Eee! Eee! Eee! Eee! Eee Eee Eeee!"

.

Knuckle head.......

[motoman]

Today I tested the tip-over switch and the automatic shut-of feature of the fuel taps.

I guess there's still a little mold release or something on the back tire because when I went out of my driveway and crossed the paint strip in the middle of the street -- that quick! down we went in a huge sweeping arc of engine roar, thrown asphalt chips, ground chrome and black rubber!

I learned a neat trick the other day from Bigfoot so I did not try to put my foot down and catch the bike. Thank! You! Harry!

My neighbors immediately ran out to make sure I was alright and helped get Columbo back on his 'feet'. I'm not really surprised but definitely pleased that the tip-over switch and the fuel shut-offs all work just fine and dandy!


I think I need a beer... or something.

.

Sounds like ya' made out better in motion than last time while stationary....and scarin' the cats.

Hey, all jokin' aside, glad your basicly okay... I hope.
Good to hear the safely features worked as they should!