NOS gaskets??

[1981XS]

hey folks...... doing some final spring prep on my XS11 and I need a new valve cover gasket and a fuel sending unit gasket possibly and I priced them out on bikebandit.com and the valve cover gasket is over 40 bucks. Just wondering if anyone out there knows of any other places that sell these things that has a less outlandish price, gotta save money for my new paint job

[CatatonicBug]

We don't need no steenkin' gaskets! Actually, the only gaskets you need are the float bowl gaskets and the Head gasket. All others can be made with RTV (the stuff in a tube). I prefer "The Right stuff", as it comes in a pressurized can and makes application a lot easier. RTV is also a LOT easier than a gasket to remove the next time you have to get in there for a valve adjustment or other work. HTH

[crazy steve]

Yeah, individual gasket prices are outrageous. You can buy a complete aftermarket set for about $100.

For the valve cover, many just use RTV silicon sealer with no gasket. For the fuel sender, I don't know if that will work, but if not, try McMaster-Carr: http://www.mcmaster.com/#rubber/=b9e6yl They sell all sorts of sheet rubber, I'm sure they'll have something that will work for cutting your own gasket.

[cywelchjr]

We don't need no steenkin' gaskets! Actually, the only gaskets you need are the float bowl gaskets and the Head gasket. All others can be made with RTV (the stuff in a tube). I prefer "The Right stuff", as it comes in a pressurized can and makes application a lot easier. RTV is also a LOT easier than a gasket to remove the next time you have to get in there for a valve adjustment or other work. HTH

Almost correct there bug. But one of the other things you can't use RTV for is the sending unit gasket, as that is directly exposed to gas. I would have to ask if it's being replaced because it's leaking or just because? You should only need to replace that gasket if it's actually damaged and/or leaking.

[bikerphil]

Valve cover gasket $11 here...

http://www.partsnmore.com/parts/yamaha/xs1100/?filters[fitting]=custom

[DAVINCI]

Or..if you want to cut your own...

[planedick]

Gasket

When yu put that gasket on, use RTV between the gasket and the cover and spray Pam on the other side and the head. That way, next time you can use the same gasket as it will come off with the cover cleanly.

[Ken Talbot]

The trick we learned in high school shop class was to rub some grease on one mating surface, press the part down on a sheet of gasket material, then cut to the grease mark with whatever sort of xacto knife you have. A regular paper hole punch makes the holes way easier than carving them.

[b.walker5]

A regular paper hole punch makes the holes way easier than carving them.

Never ceases to amaze what can be learned here.... I've been making my own gaskets for over 30 years and not bloody once have I thought of using one of those. What a friggin brilliant idea. I have a full set of wad punches and the 6mm one gets the most use... not any more..

As for a sealant.. I prefer 3 Bond, or Yamabond (same stuff, different label)

[Lamric]

There's a Gasket Template Library on the XS1100UK site. So for a small gasket (below A4 size) you can print it directly onto gasket paper then cut it out.

[1981XS]

I was thinking RTV (specifically the right stuff brand) for the valve cover, and the fuel sending unit gasket isnt leaking but i have to pull my sender so i can get whatever is rattling around in my tank out........ and no its not the sender thats rattling around.... im thinking the socks came off my petcocks and are bouncing in there, that or the guy who owned the bike before me took em off and never put em back on

[cywelchjr]

I was thinking RTV (specifically the right stuff brand) for the valve cover, and the fuel sending unit gasket isnt leaking but i have to pull my sender so i can get whatever is rattling around in my tank out........ and no its not the sender thats rattling around.... im thinking the socks came off my petcocks and are bouncing in there, that or the guy who owned the bike before me took em off and never put em back on

That's likely them that you hear rattling around in there. However, I had that happen and was able to remove them from the tank without removing the sender, I just worked them around to the filler area and managed to get them out that way. And those are critical to proper operation (whether you care about what filtering they do or not) as they are what give you the reserve function, without them, on is the same as reserve.

[1981XS]

yea Cy I remember a ride i was on last summer and we did way over the miles id ever done on one fuel tank.....was really kind of amazed that i didnt have to switch to reserve, well after pulling my petcocks out i could see why i didnt have to switch to reserve.....definetely glad we stopped for gas when we did

[Toolmaker Tim]

The Right Stuff

Hey Bug, is the sealant that you are talking about the same as the stuff in the weatherproofing dept. of Home Depot?

[cywelchjr]

Hey Bug, is the sealant that you are talking about the same as the stuff in the weatherproofing dept. of Home Depot?

No, the stuff he is talking about is sold in automotive stores and is for automotive use. The stuff in the weatherproofing dept of home depot will not work on an engine and will not hold up to oil.