Reusable bowl gaskets. Evaluation.

In a fit of curiosity bought about by lockdown I thought I would order up a couple of sets to evaluate. I normaly just print a layout onto gasket sheet, cut them out, job done, new gaskets every time. I thought reusable gaskets would save 15 mins effort everytime I needed some. First impressions, pretty good. Good fit, no leaks and looked like they would do nicely.
However, once they get soaked in fuel the thin peice of gasket down the sides of each bowl warps and distorts making them impossible to re use without first leaving them to dry taped down to hold the sides straight. Not doing this means the gaskets interfer with free float movement with the consequential overflow.
So, in conclusion, I think I'll go back to my cut versions next time those float bowls come off.

Rats! I bought a set hoping they would work well, but sounds like more work to me. Another item for the "just in case" spare parts box.

Same experience for me.
Worked well the first time, but after setting my float heights, the gaskets warped and interfered with float movement.
They are now in the trash.

Keyster made rubber bowl gaskets for the classic KZ carbs. I renew all my bowl gaskets with the rubber typ (Keyster# YFCG-27R) two year ago and had lift the bowls since five times with no leaks or any other problems. They are in really good shape for five more bowl lifts, my 2 Cents.

www.motorradbay.de/gasket-c-173-4.html?p...1fb6eda157a78bce42e2

Warren3200gt wrote: ... I normally just print a layout onto gasket sheet, cut them out, job done, new gaskets every time....

We've explored float bowl gasket material & haven't been impressed by the typical offerings at major auto parts stores. The last sheet we bought came from a HVAC jobber. It's OK, but thicker than we like.

May we ask what you use & where you source it?

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

I have reused the stock float bowl gaskets for decades. That amounts to about 10 or so reuses in small spurts and I haven't replaced one yet across several bikes I've done this to. I might leave the bowls sealed for 5 or 10 years then remove them 5 or 10 times when rejetting for different exhausts or intakes.

All I do is clean the bowls really well and then apply a thin layer of antiseize. They pop off like new even after 10 years. You have to wiggle the bowl back into place when installing it so it seats in the same position, and don't mix up the bowls. I have yet to have a bowl leak... knock on wood.

The factory bowl gaskets seem to have some sort of sealant absorbed into the material. I haven't had much luck with generic paper gasket material from parts stores, at least not for float bowls. It seems to work ok for valve covers and clutch covers.

I do the same with clutch cover gaskets and valve cover gaskets. With those, I polish the surfaces with the finest grit paper I can find, and make sure there is not a hint of the old gasket or cement left on it. The only place I see seepage is at the rubber cam-end plugs.

KZer78 wrote: Same experience for me.
Worked well the first time, but after setting my float heights, the gaskets warped and interfered with float movement.
They are now in the trash.

Same place as mine went.

+1 Scirocco.... I like the rubber gasket that Keyster supplies in their kits.

Update.............. they are shite, they were from the ebay seller based in Canada. If its somone on here you should be ashamed!!
So after the pevious trials and tribulations with them, the sun was out so thought I would go for wrag around the lanes.
Er, no, all four carbs pissing fuel out the mouths where they impeaded float movement. Avoid these with a vengenance.
So, carbs off, print and cut some new gaskets, replace the shite ones, carbs back on. Tested, left standing with the gravity tap on for 30 mins, not a drop anywhere it shouldn't be. Went for a ride! All good.

The material I use is from a 50 sheet stock I got from a customer who comercially made gaskets for industry. Unfortunately they are no longer around. I dont know what its called or where to get it from so when I am out I will be in the same position slmjim & Z1BEBE. It is a compressed mixture of cork and rubber about 1mm thick sheet. Its very flexable so goes through a desktop printer which is handy.

I tried those " reusable float bowl gaskets" from Canada a few years ago, they sucked then, I'm surprised they are still selling them.

Rubber gaskets are a BAD idea. There is no way for the screws to stay tight since the rubber will creep with time and crush down thus reducing any bolt stretch that may have been present during install. The OEM gaskets are quite firm and last for decades. There is a reason for that.

Back when I was into cars we'd apply chapstik to Holley bowl gaskets.