Gas tank gasket

[Mr Jake]

Does anybody know of a cheap source for a replacement gas tank gasket? Mine is brittle and cracked all over and doesn't hold a seal. The dealer wants $59 for the whole gas cap assembly. The junkyard has plenty but all the 78-81 xs models are just as old as mine (or older) and the gaskets on them are just as brittle and cracked as the one I have.

The best idea I have come up with is to find a newer model of bike that used the same gasket. Then I could find a junker of that model and relieve it of its tank gasket.

The next best idea I have is to try to smear a fuel-proof silicone all over my exisiting gasket. I havent' tried it yet but I suspect it is not going to be a good long-term fix.

Reeking of gasoline and afraid to smoke near the bike,
Mr. Jake

[nashville_bill]

www.bikebandit.com lists part number 24645 @$9.88.

www.650motorcycles.com/mikesxs.html has gas tank seals as part number 20-0036 @$3.00 and is in stock. This place sells parts for XS650s but it looks the same to me. I have a 650 and an 1100.

[skids]

Blane Hoopes (there is that name again) once told me that you can use a rubber sink drain gasket, or did he say plumbing gasket? Well, I had one in my plumbing supply box and have been using it on a standard for quite some time. They stay on and no glue is required.

[Mr Jake]

Thanx

That is exactly the sort of stuff I wanted to hear.

Thanks,

Mr. Jake