Gasket Prep. for Valve Cover KZ1000 Police

RonKZ650 wrote: I don't think the gasket matters $0.02 which side is up. The way I do it is if the end plugs are not leaking, don't touch them. Put a little Yamabond #4 along the top of each end plug extending a little ways onto the aluminum, then install the gasket and cover and tighten it down, and job done. Now the good part, next time the cover needs to come off, be careful all the gasket is stuck to the head as it's being removed, and the gasket can be reused forever. I bet I had the cover off my KZ650 15 or 20 times and never replaced the gasket. Only time it needs replaced is when it gets broken for some reason. Replacing a cam end plug it takes a little luck to separate the gasket and plug successfully without breaking the gasket.

VTEC wrote: Had my bike for 35 years, and adjusted the valves many times. OEM gasket, all the way around the cam plugs with sealant, bolt it down wet, and it doesn't leak.

Never saw it in writing, but I always put the side of the gasket with the extra sections of sealant toward the head. And cleaning off the old gasket I keep a narrow nozzle of a vacuum up close while scraping to prevent junk from falling into the engine.

bl_francis wrote: Well, I did a valve adjustment and now the engine is smoking a lot when it starts up and heats up. I don't know if it's related to the valve adjustment, new gasket, new reed valve gaskets, or the elimination of the clean air system. But no, there's no oil leaking! I'm a little discouraged.