Author Topic: Head gasket/base gasket part question (Read 5175 times)

shinneh · « **on:** December 29, 2011, 08:14:13 PM »

Howdy. I removed my head to hand it off to my friend for a valve job/port/polish and need to find a head gasket, base (case?) gasket, and valve seals. I've done a little research and noted parts n more and dynoman as having a full engine kit. Do I want that full kit? Or is there something better quality out there.

Basically, what have ya'll gone with? Or suggest I go with. I want to do this the rightish way.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 30, 2011, 05:37:12 AM »

shinneh,
You may still be able to find a top end only gasket set from Vesrah,keep your eyes on feebay,etc.; Vesrah is O.E. quality made in Japan....and the originals have lasted this many years,you can't beat that record.
I'm not sure...but the Full kit may come with the valve stem seals & everything else.

mrrch · « **Reply #2 on:** December 30, 2011, 05:48:41 AM »

I would probably get the full Vesrah kit, it comes with all o'rings & cam tower pucks as well that you will need. Save the bottom end gaskets for later.

MoMo · « **Reply #3 on:** December 30, 2011, 06:15:26 AM »

Quote from: mrrch on December 30, 2011, 05:48:41 AM

I would probably get the full Vesrah kit, it comes with all o'rings & cam tower pucks as well that you will need. Save the bottom end gaskets for later.

Agree, never know when you might need another gasket in the future, and the cost between the top end and complete is small (at least in the quick minute search I did)....Larry

grcamna2 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2011, 06:33:07 AM »

photolar,
Can the Full kit still be purchased & ordered New from a dealer? where do they have them for sale ?

MoMo · « **Reply #5 on:** December 30, 2011, 01:02:08 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on December 30, 2011, 06:33:07 AM

photolar,
Can the Full kit still be purchased & ordered New from a dealer? where do they have them for sale ?

Bill, are you looking for a 400 or 750 kit? either way they are about 80 to 90 for the Vesrah kits on Ebay. If the Honda kits are available they would be way more than that

...Larry

mrrch · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2011, 01:03:25 PM »

Most any dealer (not even Honda) should be able to order a complete Vesrah kit from one of their aftermarket suppliers.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2011, 01:21:03 PM »

Ohhh...O.K. so motorcycle shops can? order them...alright,well that will help me when I want to order mine.I ordered a full Vesrah kit from "Motorcycle Solutions"..a Co. on Feebay for my little CB350 twin;I just wasn't sure if shops were still able to get them.

Thanks

shinneh · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2011, 04:04:58 PM »

Awesome. Thank you all for your input. I will go for the full kit, hopefully from vesrah. I did search ebay, not very well I guess, and did not find any. Old Bike Barn had a full kit for $150 for the cb550.

Other question, is there a difference between K and F? I have 2 engines and they've been moved around so much I don't remember which is the original. I suppose I could check the number... but the engine in question is about 10 miles away, and my buddy wants the o rings now.

I will, after rechecking ebay, give my local dealer a shout about the vesrahs.

RSchaefer · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2011, 05:37:35 PM »

I had been doing a little research on the issue of gaskets and got a recommendation from the forum for Cycle-X. Full kit is $59 and includes all the additional "O" rings, etc.

http://cyclexchange.net/Engine%20Parts%20(Non-Cafe-Gaskets).htm

grcamna2 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 31, 2011, 05:44:52 PM »

Quote from: shinneh on December 31, 2011, 04:04:58 PM

Awesome. Thank you all for your input. I will go for the full kit, hopefully from vesrah. I did search ebay, not very well I guess, and did not find any. Old Bike Barn had a full kit for $150 for the cb550.

Other question, is there a difference between K and F? I have 2 engines and they've been moved around so much I don't remember which is the original. I suppose I could check the number... but the engine in question is about 10 miles away, and my buddy wants the o rings now.

I will, after rechecking ebay, give my local dealer a shout about the vesrahs.

shinneh, I'm sure it's the same part# for the CB750's;O.E. or Vesrah are the best.

shinneh · « **Reply #11 on:** January 01, 2012, 04:11:18 PM »

Ok, in the last day I have found Cycle X has it: $59
Vesrah: $109 ebay
Koyama: $80 (@ z-1 parts)
Athena: $160 old bike barn
Why on earth would I not go with the cycle x over the Vesrah? Known issues? Or lack of knowledges?

grcamna2 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 01, 2012, 04:42:20 PM »

I like the Vesrah

because it is as close to Original equipment Honda that I know of,Good quality & made in Japan...but others may have different preferences.

mrrch · « **Reply #13 on:** January 01, 2012, 06:48:19 PM »

A full Vesrah kit retails for $99.99 up here in Canada.

VTCBike750 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 01, 2012, 06:54:46 PM »

Have any of you guys had good resulta with Athena from old bike barn? I have a kit that came with my bike. Any reason to buy a better head gasket?

grcamna2 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 01, 2012, 07:06:07 PM »

Athena is good quality; they had them in a few big bore kits we used...I think they are graphite.

buffaloejon · « **Reply #16 on:** January 01, 2012, 07:36:21 PM »

Full athena kits are 99 or so from bikebandit... Much less during cyber monday, got it for like 63 or something like that. Too late for that though.

shinneh · « **Reply #17 on:** January 02, 2012, 04:23:15 PM »

Alrighty, I have read some negative findings on the Athenas. Though they are reputed to have a good head gasket, all the others suck-that's not cool.

Everyone likes Vesrah because that's apparently almost OEM..however they are constantly related to the Athenas-not very inspiring.

But I read nothing about the Cycle X gaskets-and these, because of the price and the people, I am curious of this one.

EDIT: I guess I should ask, can I use the 750 set on a 550? I noticed Cyclexchange only has 750 sets.

Roach Carver · « **Reply #18 on:** January 02, 2012, 05:08:21 PM »

I dont think so.

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Author Topic: Head gasket/base gasket part question (Read 5175 times)