Topic: 73 CB500F leaky puck/head gaskets

[Honda3]

So there is a lot of opinion on what gaskets to use to fix this problem. Bike has 24k miles on it and the head gasket is leaking terribly, so much i dont ride it anymore (I have other bikes).

What is the BEST head gasket set to buy, and where from, that includes the much talked about "pucks?"

Thanks!!

[jaytee-nz]

Always genuine Honda for me (although I'm sure there are other good quality gaskets out there but I don't think it's worth the risk). Here's a set on Ebay -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Genuine-Honda-Top-End-Gasket-Kit-CB500-1971-1972-1973-06111-323-315/372460052435?fits=Model%3ACB500%7CSubmodel%3AFour%7CMake%3AHonda&hash=item56b8595fd3:g:Rk4AAOSw38Vbt7Il
Pucks aren't so much of a problem on the CB500 but the head gasket is.

[bryanj]

Pucks are just as much a problem on 500 but also the O rings on the oil feed and the soft washer between the end cap bracket and cam cover.

[Honda3]

Always genuine Honda for me (although I'm sure there are other good quality gaskets out there but I don't think it's worth the risk). Here's a set on Ebay -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Genuine-Honda-Top-End-Gasket-Kit-CB500-1971-1972-1973-06111-323-315/372460052435?fits=Model%3ACB500%7CSubmodel%3AFour%7CMake%3AHonda&hash=item56b8595fd3:g:Rk4AAOSw38Vbt7Il
Pucks aren't so much of a problem on the CB500 but the head gasket is.

Thanks. But I recall being told, what a lot of ppl believe is a head gasket problem is actually a puck leak and that they are an issue. I was directed to get a head gasket set WITH the pucks included.

FOUND THEM: https://www.partzilla.com/product/honda/91318-300-013 and https://www.z1enterprises.com/cylinder-head-rubber-seal-cb750-cb650-cb550-cb500.html

And here is the thread:  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=156764.0

And @ bryanJ, im going to swap all the gaskets.

Question, would a leaky head gasket reduce horsepower?

[Scott S]

 Lots of good information in that thread.

 Read this one, too:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107040.0

 Genuine Honda head gasket. Pucks and O-rings are available at 4into1.com,  too. You could probably get everything from them, even the sealant.
 Use the sealant sparingly.

[bryanj]

NEVER EVER  use sealant on a genuine Honda head gasket and no a head gasket leaking oil will not reduce horsepower until you loose all the oil and sieze the engine, which is unlikely unless the leak is literally pouring out

[Deltarider]

On the 500/550 leakage is often from the two O-rings at each side of the engine (oil passages). I once heard a mechanic who used Kawasaki O-rings that were just a little bit thicker. I forgot to take notes which ones they were. One could also consider a solution as in: http://www.cbfourclub.de/cbfourum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5083#p31455
Pardon my German, but I think the pic says it all. Personally I have no experience with this.

[Scott S]

 Yeah, I was referring to sealant on the pucks, as shown in Branden's thread.

[1976cb750f836]

My pucks( I got some of the crap ones), benn seaping  since 836 kit, bout 12 years ago.
Not enough to wet the fins, just enough to attract dust. I may never fix it?