Head gasket

[kiwi cowboy]

blew a gasket at least i hope thats all it did and thinkin about it desided its about time i looked inside it myself.
maybe i might lern something so have bought a manual [on its way] and gonna get stuck in.
have alredy got the farring off and the exhaust system off.
took radiator off last night and have been advised to get recored as the bike had no thermostat.anyone have an ida what that will cost.

[bimotabob]

Hi

If your bike has shims you could be in for a drama.
Taking the head off can mean clearances go out.
Let us know how you go.
The Fz's are cool - is yours the first one or the later full fairing model?
Cheers
BB

[kiwi cowboy]

Hi

If your bike has shims you could be in for a drama.
Taking the head off can mean clearances go out.
Let us know how you go.
The Fz's are cool - is yours the first one or the later full fairing model?
Cheers
BB

hi yep its got shims.
i had been told i can take the head off without touching [by mechanic] is this not true?
any way cant do anything about it lol im gona get the manual and get in there and see what i find.
the bike needs a tidy up anyway havent had it long and was going to try a cosmetic tidy and seeing as the fairings are off a good chance :yes:.
my brother in ch ch has the gear for painting so just heat weld the wee cracks and sand smooth then send them to him.
yes its the first one with the small fairing.
will keep posted
cheers:bye::bye:

[kiwi cowboy]

ok guys i got the service manual and have the head off. the gasket on top of the piston barrels is badly rusted so that is probly what failed.
question-when i was taping the head to lossen it as per manual to crack the seal in the top of the barrels it also lossened the bottem of the barrels[water was seping out] will this seal down when tightened up again or replace?
is the gasket in the bottom of the barrels likley to be in the same rusted contition?
any advice apreciated

[roadracingoldfart]

If your that far into the engine it would be slightly remiss of you to not replace the base gasket at the same time. That way you can have a look at the bores etc to see if they need any attention. The rings are a bit of a bugger to get back in sometimes but if you have a mate to assist you all will be ok. Take it slow and follow the manual instructions.
If you have alot of rust at the head level it indicates it may not have the correct inhibitor installed.

[Pancakes]

Dude, while it's open do the lot!

[kiwi cowboy]

pulled the piston barrels off tonight and cleand it up [not as much rust as first thought just rust colouring inside.water probably hasnt been changed very regular.
rang bike shop and 150 slides for complete top end gasket set so hopefully be putting back together soon.

[Max Preload]

You've GOT to change the coolant more often. 2 years maximum on a bike. It's cheap insurance.

[Pancakes]

Yep oil and water, cheap insurance and will also tell you if anything is going south without cracking the block open before it gets too bad.