Like I have nothing better to do

My 74 Z1 has been leaking a bit of oil since I bought it 15 years ago from a friend just before he passed away. The bike is pretty much original With 24,000 miles except for new pipes, tapered steering bearings and a Dyna S. I have been hesitating to take care of the leaks  for the last 14 years. So I finally had enough and tore into it a few days ago. I like to make my own gaskets using Felpro Karropak gasket material 1/64 and using a light smear of Curil T2 Gasket maker. So I replace all of the gaskets including the oil pan along with shaft seals. I also spliced in a new harness for the alternator using a new rubber grommet. I like to strip off the cloth cover and use a strip of heat shrink where the wires go into the rubber grommet. Before I install the grommet I coat the area where the grommet sits with Quick silver bellows adhesive so they slid easy into the grommet. I seal the inside of the grommet with the bellows adhesive where the wires enter and also use the adhesive on the edges of the grommet. Over the years I found this has been the best way to seal that area. Still waiting on a few lip seals. While the covers were off I took the time to polish them. The bike should be pretty much leak free after to work.

 

 

 






 

I like making gaskets too but seeing this I might have to up my game. Started out making transmission, transfer case and differential gaskets for my buddy's 41' Dodge 1/2 ton weapons carrier back in 1980. Our favourite gasket material was cold pack beer boxes. We couldn't buy the gaskets but had a nice hole punch set. My buddy still has the truck.

So this was just released by PMC in japan:

japan.webike.net/products/26719496.html

its a metal core gasket set for the Z1 using a 0.2mm SPCC (steel) core material.  Supposedly it significantly reduces oil seepage compared to conventional resin-based gaskets, as well as not sticking when being removed.

I'll probably order a set for my winter refresh/service.

Let us know how they look/work. Probably one time use? Not a problem except for the valve cover and clutch cover.