Re use clutch cover gasket?

Repacking my clutch with new friction plates/steel plates and springs. The frictions are soaking in fresh oil as I type. So, a couple of questions: 1. Over night a good enough soak time for the frictions? I'm assuming that it is. 2. Clutch gaskets for 30 year old bikes don't hang on trees around here, so I cut one out from a roll of gasket material and it's fairly complete, but the smaller holes are a pain. Well, maybe I'm just lazy.:whistle: Anyway, when I poped off the clutch cover the ENTIRE gasket that I put on there a couple of years ago (I replaced a bunch of seals) came with it, perfectly intact! All I would have to do is wash it down with an apropriate solvent and gently scrape off a minimum of the old non permanent sealant. Do you see this re using as feasible?, as the gasket is in perfect shape, sealed to the clutch cover, and will need a minimum of cleaning. Just wondering if I can get away with this little "cheat".

If it's not broken, heck yes, you can reuse it. What a nice stroke of luck.

Great ! That will same me some hassle. Thanks for the quick reply.

Same thing happened to Me a while back...had to pull the cover off to replace the clutch,and yes...I re-used it,and a year later,not one sign of oil has passed by it...go for it!(just keep an eye on it,obviously)

Good luck

Actually, upon closer inspection I found that the gasket has separated from the cover in a few places. I took the gasket off and used it as a template. This is fine with me because now I can make this gasket easily, any time. I cleaned it all up and applied the sealant last night. I'm jut rounding out the holes with an exacto knife as I type. It came out perfectly fine. I'll put the cutch back together this afternoon after I take care of a few things. Days off? Pffft, I run like a rabbit half the time on my "days off".

If you still want those rocket pants Sandy email me your address. I dug them out of storage.

3.86 at Z1 cant hardly beat that, shipping might cost a bit though.
www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=2686

When I worked at a naval shipyard years ago I learned a gasket making technique that will work for this. What we did with various steel or cast iron castings was to lay the gasket material across the gasket surface of the part, and then take a ball peen hammer and pound all the inside and outside edges and the holes, and that was it. The hammer impacts the gasket material against the part edges and hole edges and cuts through. But on these aluminum castings you don't want to pound all the way through the material. You just want to mark the edges and holes with the hammer, then go back and cut through the edges and holes with a blade and/or hole punches. Great for when you don't have an old gasket to use as a template.

Thanks guys. Although I know all these tips and have been ordering off and on from Jeff @ Z1, I sure don't "know it all". There are still fixes/procedures that I have never performed on my bike, but I have replaced/repaired A LOT of items on the old war pony. Jeff is a square deal/fair shake at Z1, but I just don't want to wait 2 weeks for the gasket to slowly cross Canada. I've been riding for a month already. As I said, I DO NOT know it all but have been frequenting KZR for 3-4?, 4-5? years now. My silver 650 is one of the first posted in the 650 bike pics area under my old avatar luvmykaw. My bike still looks the same on the outside but has plenty of new guts inside.

Put everything together this afternoon. No oil leaks and perfect function, after a couple of clutch adjustments. The clutch feels like it has waaaaayyyy more engagement spread now, not so abrupt. It's also sweet to twist it on the highway and just GO instead of hearing it go falsetto and jam out! I'll change out the oil and filter in 200 K or so. Another never before attempted job that came out well, with the help of KZR members..... Thanks.

Right on Chris...big difference,it sound like.
Ya done good,Bud!

(email sent,btw)

Another trick I have used over the years is to apply a thin oil coating on both sides of the gasket prior to putting it on. The oil keeps the gasket from sticking to the engine and covers. Then when you go to remove the cover the gasket can be re-used.
I have used the same gasket over 5 times without a leak using this technique.

baldy110 wrote:

Another trick I have used over the years is to apply a thin oil coating on both sides of the gasket prior to putting it on. The oil keeps the gasket from sticking to the engine and covers. Then when you go to remove the cover the gasket can be re-used.
I have used the same gasket over 5 times without a leak using this technique.

Hmmmm, interesting. I may well try that the next time I have to "go in". I just went out to check the bike for seepage and it's oil tight, level is perfect and all is well. I have been afraid to not use sealant for fear of leaks. However, with this info I may try it as the rubber based paper gasket material I use is a teeny bit thicker than factory stuff. I appreciate any tips on easing maintenance or keeping the ol' war pony alive. Thanks.