Which Side Faces Up?

1000/1100-J cam cover gasket:


or


Graphite coated?
🤔

Yes.

Perhaps installed with smooth side A down, residue left when removed will clean from the head surface easier.

I'm not sure what the install process for this gasket type is...

🤔

 

They usually go either way but in this case i'd put the "B" side down towards the head judging by the markings it has which may be sealer.
This is the first time i've seen that, what make is it ?

Dave am I right in thinking that side "B" has a raised ridge ? (not easy to tell in the pics with old eyes ) if so personally I would think side "A" sits against the head with the ridged side taking up any distortion in the cover (only my opinion ?)

   The edges of the 'half moon' cam end plugs in heads don't always sit perfect;y flush with the gasket surface of the head.  We'd suggest side B face the head. so that what looks like the pairs of short sealant bead be aligned with the two edges of each cam end plug where they meet the head to seal if there's slight variation from flush.

   We've never seen a valve cover gasket with apparent sealant beads like that.   +1 on ZED1015's question; what brand is it?

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

The gasket is OEM Kawasaki 11061-1121, 11060-1691, and possibly others.

I believe it was offered specifically for KZ1000-J Police motors...but please don't quote me on that. 
🤔

The raised surface is present at the four end-plug locations on both sides:



I wonder if this gasket type should be installed dry?
Sealant application might actually impede it's performance.

🙂

If the surfaces are good I wouldn't expect to need sealant (unless the manual calls for it)

Wookie58 wrote:

If the surfaces are good I wouldn't expect to need sealant (unless the manual calls for it)
 

If the raised feature is a heat-activated bond material, then a heat gun should produce an improved gasket seal at the end-plug locations.
~ ~ ~

Installed it dry, and will see how that works.

The end plugs are solid aluminum pieces previously installed with sealant as recommended. 
Each plug is firmly seated slightly below the head surface, and the cover bolts were torqued to 87 inch pounds.

The first oil change and valve lash adjustment have been done after accumulating 300+ miles over several short riding sessions.

Perhaps the seal of this gasket will outperform others typically cut from compressed sheet material, which one may presume require less effort to manufacture.

After putting down a couple hundred more miles, I feel pretty good about the choice as there is no evidence of leaks whatsoever.
  
Actually, she runs better now than all of last year, though I did nothing different reassembling her this time.

Seems there may be no limit with these KZ motors, as long as  properly manufactured  quality components are carefully installed, and not babied too much.

😊

Oh, wait...I installed different motor oil, as Ed insisted suggested...

Thanks Ed 
 

Good to know Ed! Wish they made those for the Z1 and early thru 1980 KZ1000's. If you've ever purchased the "newest" style stator engine cover gasket, they are also grey coated like your cam cover gasket. They are a metal core and like to magnetically stick to the rotor upon assembly but work Great, much better then the paper ones. Same as yours too, dry assembled. Only a smidge of sealant around the stator grommet. Great Job Ed! You realize one it's out of the dining room it's going to start to get dirty ha.