How? Base gasket on kz1000J

I've heard differing opinions on how to install a new base gasket. Install dry on a clean flat surface or with threebond or ?

I have always used a silicone-based sealant like three-bond.

Michael... on one side or both? ...and if one side, does it matter which?

I butter both sides...like my waffles.

Copper coat sprayed on both sides.

Grease both sides.
This allows the gasket to settle evenly when compressed and seals the surface against the wick effect which afflicts some gasket materials causing oil seepage.
Also any grease that may get pushed out internally when the top end is tightened will mix harmlessly with the oil and not block any oil ways which is the risk when using silicone etc .

I took zed1015 suggestion when I did mine, Used water proof grease on both sides and I haven't had any trouble in the two years its been on there. I also used his suggestion on putting heat shrink over the cylinder studs. That was a nice touch as well. Thanks zed1015!

Whats this about heat shrink on the studs Joe ?

barney wrote: Whats this about heat shrink on the studs Joe ?

After removing my top end with some painstaking gasket and stud cleaning process, I labored on find a the best method to avoid the pain the next time I take things apart. I settled on zed1015's methods for the base gasket and also did the heat shrink trick on the studs. Here is his posting on the heat shrink topic:

www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/395445...nows?start=60#550418

I'm hoping when it comes time for the first overbore (which it really needs already), the base gasket will come off clean and the studs will also be easier to deal with (can always just put fresh heat shrink). zed1015 indicated that the grease prompts ease of the gasket removal process. He's done enough of these engines to know.

I have been using spray on copper coat for years on the base gaskets. I spray both sides and install. When I have to take the cylinders off again years later the gasket comes off cleanly no clean up needed. I never had any leaks using this stuff.
Grease also works good. Back in the day on the early Honda 750 fours I used spray paint on the base gaskets to seal them. Trouble with that is the gaskets were a bitch to get off but that method did seal the ones that had oil leakage problems.

baldy110 wrote: I have been using spray on copper coat for years on the base gaskets. I spray both sides and install. When I have to take the cylinders off again years later the gasket comes off cleanly no clean up needed. I never had any leaks using this stuff.
Grease also works good. Back in the day on the early Honda 750 fours I used spray paint on the base gaskets to seal them. Trouble with that is the gaskets were a bitch to get off but that method did seal the ones that had oil leakage problems.

I applied copper coat spray as well to other areas (oil pan gasket, stator cover gasket, reused old valve cover gaset). All with perfect results so far. I used it in order to try it out and see well it seals and aftewards comes off when the time comes , From your experiences, it looks like I should have an easy time getting these gaskets off in the future. I hate cleaning old cooked on gaskets.

I'm having very good luck so far with the copper coat too and it really helped keeping it in place too.