top gasket?

[jazzrat2000]

Anyone have a spare gasket they would sell me? It is the valve cover gasket, my bike is bleeding oil all over the exhaust pipes!

[Czekus21]

I wish I had one for ya. I was just looking at Ebay and there are several for sale.

[jazzrat2000]

do they sell just the one gasket? I seem to find gasket sets, which I don't need (yet)...

[Czekus21]

I just looked in the forum cassifieds and Item # 9 is what yoiur looking for I think. It's under parts for sale. It was listed in feb

[jazzrat2000]

thanks, I am on it!

[TopCatGr58]

That gasket is kinda stiff material, but if you get in a bind, you can buy some gasket material from your local auto shop, then use a light film of oil on the valve cover, press it down against the gasket material, and then cut your own out. Use a single hole punch to make the bolt holes. Then use some sealant with it, along with some on the area where the rubber half moons are, and you should be good to go!
T.C.

[jazzrat2000]

sounds good... what kind of sealant? remember, I am an absolute rookie to any kind of mechanical stuff... I did adjust the cam chain, and the bike still (amazingly) runs... so maybe I am on a roll?

[Ken Talbot]

I might be even easier to get some Yamabond 4 (or some other decent gasket in a tube material) from a dealer. Basically, you clean up the mating surface of the cover, spread on a thin film of the gasket material, and let it dry. Pop it back on, bolt it down, and you're on your way. You want to let the goop dry so you don't end up gluing the cover on - you'd have a #$%# of a time getting it off next time.

[jazzrat2000]

so that would be put in on top of the old gasket?; Would it be better than a new gasket? just let me know if I am being too annoying... I am enjoying learning about all this stuff...

[Ken Talbot]

No, you want to completely remove all traces of the old gasket. That way the new material will make an unbroken new seal. "They" claim the formed gaskets are as good as or better than 'paper' gaskets.

Annoying - heck, you haven't barely got started yet - you've got a new ride, you're working on it, and you're willing to learn. Won't be long and you'll be passing your knowledge along to another newbie!

[chevy45412001]

gaskets

they are still available seperatly at the dealer for like 10-13 dollars. i just got one late last summer.

[jazzrat2000]

thanks, I just bought one from an xs11.com member... I didn't even think about a dealer, I haven't had too much luck getting parts there so far...

[DiverRay]

A good dealer should order one for you. I just got one December from my local dealer. But then, the service department there still works on about five different Elevens, just NOT mine. I've done all my own work for about thirty four years.
I've found most parts are still available, some just cost too much at the dealer.

[ratbyk]

Cam Cover Gasket

3 times in the 5 years I have gone to my local Kawasaki dealer. Ordered a cam cover gasket for the XS. Within 24-36 hours he had the gasket for me. He orders from some aftermarket place. He is really good and has stuff coming from all over NA for many people. Everything comes in by currier the next day just after 11am. Find a local dealer who really tries. They can get almost anything. I believe I was paying around $8.00 Cdn for that gasket.
Ken/Sooke

[jazzrat2000]

so the S Fl dealers I have talkeds to aren't too interested in old bikes... I'll keep looking, though! I foun d a fellow XS11.com guy who sold me one this time!