Topic: wrong valve cover gasket?

[ksmith0034]

I need quick help here folks.  I am scheduled to put the engine back in the frame Saturday morning, so I need to resolve this quickly if possible.
I rebuilt the top end of my '71 CB750 and all the seals and gaskets worked fine.  But when I went to put the valve cover back on, the new gasket seemed WAY too big.  Am I missing something?

[tonycb650]

Pull the two center holes down to line them up with the holes on the valve covers and see if the other holes follow suit.

[ksmith0034]

I tried shifting and pulling the gasket but it just seemed to wrinkle.  Thant can't be right...?

[scondon]

 Fit is usually a little sloppy when laid over the cover, but yours does look a bit extreme. Put the locating dowels in the head and spread a bit of Gaskacinch over the gasket and head mating surface before tacking the gasket in place on the head. Then place the valve cover on and tap around the edges to seat it fully. I usually slip the bolts into the valve cover before mounting it so that the bolts will help line the gasket holes up. Can you see warpage in the gasket at this point?

   What manufacturer made that gasket? supplier?

[Steve F]

WOW!  that's WAY off.  It looks to me that they maybe made the gasket using a laser cutter or some machine like that and had the "scale factor" about 110% I've made my own gaskets in the past, several actually, and don't have any problems. 
Trace the outline on a sheet of material and then, using a hole punch, punch out at least two holes to maintain alignment and put in dowel pins to hold it there.
Next, using your finger, press around on the gasket material to make an impression of all of the inside contours and the remaining hole locations.
Use a sharp exact-o knife, cut out the inside contour, then cut out the outside shape.
Punch out the holes and you're done.

[gregimotis]

A valve gasket I bought looked just like that (EMGO).  Just plain didn't fit.

[scondon]

A valve gasket I bought looked just like that (EMGO).  Just plain didn't fit.

  From the dark grey color I was guessing EMGO too. Never used one of theirs and apparently better for it. Honda gasket costs around $17 depending on where you get it.