81 Kz1100 Base Gasket

Hi Gents
I recently had my top end did by a mech in town, everything was fine for about 2 months in which i noticed a oil seep at the front of the Motor which got worse the more i rode.I decided to remove the topend and found the leak coming for the cam chain channel gasket which was covered in grey gasket sealant,I have order all the new gaskets and such but my concern is should i replace the base gasket again as it is new and was not leaking when the head was removed and should gasket silicone be used on the cam chain gasket .the manual doesnt state so
Thanks
Rich

I have never had a leak develop at the center o-ring while using no sealer. However, at the outer four cylinder stud corners when I had used sealer, leaks eventually developed.
When I asked Z1E Jeff about that, he advised me to "put them on dry". That was Spring of 2015, and 16,000 long-dry miles ago.

So, no-more sealer on o-rings for me.


The few times I've loosened the head, the seal always broke at the base gasket.

I've yet to figure how to prevent that...

If the base gasket is not leaking I would not mess with it. That is if you can get the head off without the base gasket breaking loose. When I did the valves on my Z1 The base gasket was not disturbed. I did not use any type of gasket sealer on reassembly and so far everything is dry.

On a J-motor, how does one drain the oil from the head (and passages in the cylinder) to the pan before loosening the head?

Thanks in advance.

With the exception of a little oil left in the bucket areas for the valves, the oil drains back into the crank case upon shut down.

Z1Driver wrote: With the exception of a little oil left in the bucket areas for the valves, the oil drains back into the crank case upon shut down.

At the front of the motor below the head at the front outer cylinder studs...
In my experience, that is where the leaks occur at the base gasket. Those two cavities fill up with oil, and have no place to drain.

since I misunderstood the question the only smart azzed answer I can use would be "use a drip pan." :whistle:

Z1Driver wrote: since I misunderstood the question the only smart azzed answer I can use would be "use a drip pan." :whistle:

What preparations will generally insure the cylinder base remains sealed or undisturbed, if only the head needs to be removed? :whistle:

:blush: