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Author Topic: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?  (Read 2773 times)

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Offline guitarkev66

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Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« on: February 04, 2011, 05:33:25 PM »
I need to change a head gasket on my 1971 cb750 are there any tricks I should know about. I did some reading and it didn't seem too hard.  I am somewhat mechanical but new to working on bikes.
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Offline hondaface75

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Re: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2011, 05:42:05 PM »
Pretty sure you gotta pull the motor for that one, unless you've got one of those fancy frame kits.
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Offline Skunk Stripe

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Re: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2011, 05:51:29 PM »
You have to pull the motor barring the aforementioned frame mod. There are a couple of ways to do this. Either remove as much from the engine as you can, starter and all that jazz, and heave the motor out. It is heavy, around 170 pounds or so so any weight you lose will help.
You might fashion a bracket to bolt to the motor and use a hoist to help move it out of the frame. You could also lay the bike over and then remove a bunch off the bike and lift the frame off the motor.
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Offline bikerbart

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Re: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2011, 06:00:03 PM »
hey if I can do it,you can do it.I was intimidated for a long time because after I moved out west I sold my other bikes so I only had one,and I didnt want to F it up.Just be methodical and take your time.If it werent for this website I wouldnt have had the balls to do it.Then I did it again and it wasn't easier,but,more familiar if you get me.maybe a lil easier,each time it will be.Go for it,its wintertime,nows the time to do it. :)
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Offline fmctm1sw

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Re: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2011, 07:19:54 PM »
There's some threads around here showing homemade engine hoists and stuff. 
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Offline guitarkev66

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Re: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2011, 07:40:17 PM »
Thanks guys!
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Offline Grabcon

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Re: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2011, 07:58:47 PM »
Try this link form install and removal

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=71240.0
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Offline octagon

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Re: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2011, 08:13:09 PM »
be aware that it's a tight fit. what worked for me was laying the bike over and lifting the frame away from the motor with a come-along.
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Offline Gordon

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Re: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2011, 08:49:00 PM »
It's not so much a difficulty issue as it is a patience and discipline issue.  If you can take your time, follow directions and do things correctly without trying to take short-cuts, you can do it with a minimum of previous mechanical experience.  If you get too frustrated, take a break.   
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Offline scottly

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Re: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2011, 08:54:32 PM »
Uh, sorry, but why do you think you need to replace the head gasket? If it is only a minor oil leak, you might consider just leaving it alone until you really need to pull the motor for a rebuild. (Some have used cotton rope and even tampons stuffed between the fins to absorb the flow. ;) )
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Offline guitarkev66

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Re: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« Reply #10 on: February 05, 2011, 05:30:54 AM »
Good Ideas, maybe I will just let it go.  I was hoping for a trick of being able to change the gasket without pulling the motor, but doesn't seem the case.  The leak isn't real bad I'm just a stickler for the small sh*t!
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Offline dhall57

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Re: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« Reply #11 on: February 05, 2011, 06:52:09 AM »
My 76 cb750 has the same problem just a very small of oil between the fins at headgasket. This is a common problem with these SOHC. Not really a problem just more of a annoyance than anything. Mine will have to get alot worse before I pull the engine out. Seaweb11 told me about the paper towel trick between the fins at headgasket and no worse than mine is it works like a charm. I put 4 pieces of rolled up paper towel at each corner of head frt. and rear each about 2" long. I use Bounty the quicker picker upper and even painted them silver with some hi-temp paint and its hardly noticeable. I have not had to replace them yet and its been close to a year. Works for me ;D
« Last Edit: February 05, 2011, 07:01:01 AM by dhall57 »
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Offline cb500-1972

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Re: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2011, 01:25:48 PM »
i have a minor "leak" on my head gasket as well. could anyone post a picture and a description of one of these fixes. i have planned a engine maintenance next winter, and would like to get some pointers on how to minimise a leak from the gasket. In my case its one the front left corner
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Offline totty

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Re: Changing a head gasket difficulty scale?
« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2011, 05:22:36 AM »
lookup "oyltite stik" if the leaks only minor and in an accessible place it'll seal.
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