Gasket Removal

Hey everyone
I'm in the process of replacing the valve cover gasket on my 81 KZ550. It doesn't appear that the valve cover has ever been off the bike so the gasket is pretty ripped up and stuck to the two halves of the engine. What's the best way to remove the old gasket without scraping up the mating surface between the valve cover and head?

Oven cleaner normally works,just don't get it on paint.Might be a good time to check valve clearances while youre in there.
Put some copper coat on top side of gasket to glue it to valve cover,then youll be able to reuse it atleast once.

nickleo373 wrote: Hey everyone
I'm in the process of replacing the valve cover gasket on my 81 KZ550. It doesn't appear that the valve cover has ever been off the bike so the gasket is pretty ripped up and stuck to the two halves of the engine. What's the best way to remove the old gasket without scraping up the mating surface

A single edge razor blade and about two hours of time you'll never get back....

bountyhunter wrote:

nickleo373 wrote: Hey everyone
I'm in the process of replacing the valve cover gasket on my 81 KZ550. It doesn't appear that the valve cover has ever been off the bike so the gasket is pretty ripped up and stuck to the two halves of the engine. What's the best way to remove the old gasket without scraping up the mating surface

A single edge razor blade and about two hours of time you'll never get back....

Were you Guy's been?
Plastic Razor Blades!
10's of uses around the shop and house, painting, detailing.
From my chemical Guy "wellworthproducts" .com

Thanks for the replies
I got most of the gasket off the valve cover using a razor blade, brake cleaner, and hot water. There is an extremely thin layer of gasket still remaining in some areas that wont come off. Are there any other tricks to doing this?

I use a very fine sharpening stone and mineral sprits to remove the last trace of an old gasket.

I also bit the bullet and bought a KTC ceramic scraper. $36 very well spent.