Cylinder head cover gaskets - how long should they last - where to get new?

I have a 1979 KZ650 which I has around 8k miles on it. When I got it, it was around 7k. I just started riding it around a lot for the last couple of months. I noticed that I am getting oil seepage from what appears to be where the cylinder head meets the covers. Is this normal for the age/ amount of miles? Keep in mind this thing sat from around mid 80's to a few months ago (7k miles was put on before it sat).

I am going to assume the cylinder head cover gasket needs to be replaced. Does this seem right?

Does this mean I should also replace all other gaskets in engine at the same time? Or can I get more mileage out of them?

And who has the best prices on these things?

Gaskets don't go bad from age (arguably, some disagree). I never change the cover gasket. The only reason it would ever leak is from the cover not being tightened, old gasket remnants on the mating surface, or other previously botched work. The rubber cam end plugs of course are another story, these are notorious for leaking.

Is the leak by chance at the front of the engine near the tach cable? 650's are known for leaking through the tach drive. There is a kit to fix this available from Z1 Enterprises.

on closer inspection I found two things; it seems it is leaking from those plugs & not the gasket (why would there only be oil beneath the plugs ONLY). Now do I need to replace them or just reseal them?

AND there is a bunch of oil accumulating near the tach drive. I actually don't use a tach so I removed the cable. I then placed this rubber/ plastic cap over it & secured it with a hose clamp. Which is why when I saw oil there still, I assumed it was gasket. Maybe I need to get something else that will seal it better.

I found a person on ebay that sells the cam cover gaskets for $8 a pop. They are thick and so far I haven't had a problem. I baught a handfull of them. I think the stealership wants $60 or so for the same gasket.

I would get new cam plugs as I tried to reseal 30 year old rubber and it just don't work. Z1 has the cam plugs and the tach reseal kit.

elcid wrote:

I have a 1979 KZ650 which I has around 8k miles on it. When I got it, it was around 7k. I just started riding it around a lot for the last couple of months. I noticed that I am getting oil seepage from what appears to be where the cylinder head meets the covers. Is this normal for the age/ amount of miles? Keep in mind this thing sat from around mid 80's to a few months ago (7k miles was put on before it sat).

I am going to assume the cylinder head cover gasket needs to be replaced. Does this seem right?

Does this mean I should also replace all other gaskets in engine at the same time? Or can I get more mileage out of them?

And who has the best prices on these things?

OEM gaskets can usually be removed and reused a couple of times. Aftermarket gaskets are basically compressed paper and usually fall apart when you remove them.

I recall Old Bike Barn had good prices on OEM gaskets. I'll tell you what I did: bought gasket material at pep Boys and used the cover and the old gasket to make a new one. Took about an hour, saved me about $30.

elcid wrote:

on closer inspection I found two things; it seems it is leaking from those plugs & not the gasket (why would there only be oil beneath the plugs ONLY). Now do I need to replace them or just reseal them?

AND there is a bunch of oil accumulating near the tach drive. I actually don't use a tach so I removed the cable. I then placed this rubber/ plastic cap over it & secured it with a hose clamp. Which is why when I saw oil there still, I assumed it was gasket. Maybe I need to get something else that will seal it better.

Best price on the end plugs are from babbittsonline.com. The OEM plugs ran me about $50 for the set.

You can usually seal them with ultra hi-temp black RTV, but you have to clean them really well and seal the tops where it meets the cover also. If they are too far gone, you need new ones.

just picked up a set of the cam plugs for 10.95 from z1enterprises.com

81kz650csr wrote:

just picked up a set of the cam plugs for 10.95 from z1enterprises.com

YEOWWW... sure wish they stocked parts for the 750 twins.

Just got a valve cover gasket for my 1000 from Z1 Ent.it works great.what kind of 750 twin parts do you need i am junking one.

76 LTD wrote:

Just got a valve cover gasket for my 1000 from Z1 Ent.it works great.what kind of 750 twin parts do you need i am junking one.

I'm good for now, but I just finished an engine overhaul and some of the parts were VERY hard to find.... like the stinking valve seals and the valve shims.

I'll tell you what are golden on a 750 twin: the valve shims and the main jets inside the Mikunis. NOBODY makes those anymore. Those 32 mm valve shims sell on ebay for $15 - $18 EACH.