Reusing a gasket.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Long story short I thought I had a clutch cover gasket 'in stock' but I can't find it. I have a clutch I need to fit tomorrow, pretty sure it is a metal gasket from memory.

Any point in reusing it or will it just leak? Is it worth heating the gasket with a torch?

If you have no experience with this I don't need your opinion 😉
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redeem ouzzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

If it's copper, heating it will soften the metal making it very suitable for re-use. If it's steel, it won't.

Presumably if it was a steel gasket, it would have had a sealant coating on which in itself won't be re-useable.

The ratbike guys have been known to re-use an old steel head gasket by wire-wooling it shiny then sparying with a rattle can paint then fiting once dry. The paint acts as a gasket sealant.

No idea if they ever managed to get them apart again though.

I've never seen a metal clutch cover gasket on a motorbike. Seems like overkill. What's it off?
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

It's a TDM900, maybe I'm miss remembering and it is fibre.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I highly doubt it's metal.

I'd be very surprised if it's not a paper gasket. If it doesn't tear, you'll probably get away with re-using it.

However, a lot of manufacturers also put a strategic smear of RTV on there (3-bond or own-branded equivalent) in certain places which means it sticks to the metal and rips off.

Don't chuck out that empty cornflakes packet. Works well as long as the clearance isn't critical (usually only if a shaft is rinning in the cover).

I can't think of an occasion where I took the clutch cover off a japanese bike and didn't tear the gasket. Equally, I've also just bolted it back together again before on the basis that the tears match-up and it's not leaked.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

WD Forte · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :

Never seen an all metal clutch cover gasket
Why would they do that? it kind of defeats the object
of having a soft impermeable gap filler.
I have seen thin alloy mesh over fibre types tho' maybe it's that

Re-usebale? who knows
depend on materials/stuff used when fitting etc
some come off nice as anything, seen some go hard and crusty
some stick and tear
Done the cornflake packet trick manys a time but I always give em
a good smear of grease.
I always keep a few supermarket Pizza boxes around for things like that
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A100man · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Aug 2013 Karma :

clutch cover gasket will be a pita to make, but possible. If the old one tears piece it together with some hylomar type stuff.
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BigTim · Trackday Trickster Joined: 29 Sep 2017 Karma :

Make your own gasket

cardboard from cereal box or gasket paper cheap on ebay

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

Another vote for a home made gasket. I would smear it with gasket sealer just to make it impermeable.
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andym · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Nov 2010 Karma :

What's wrong with just using instant gasket?

So far I've used it on 3 clutch covers and never had a problem

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

A lot of cover gaskets come with each side coated differently so they deliberately stick to one face but not the other. If you're lucky yours will be like this and come off with the cover for re-use.

If you need to cut a new gasket pop over to mine and I'll make one for you. It'll only take half an hour.
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Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

The last gasket for the clutch for my triumph cost 9 quid.
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WD Forte · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

I was remembering correctly it was metal. I cleaned it up and reused it, it passed a short test with no leaks. So it'll at least be serviceable.

It isn't the cost or availability that was an issue it was just the lack off it. I thought I had one and had to do the job today. I remember now I replaced the springs when I got the new TDM (stock ones are weak AF) and used it then. I did call round the local dealers however both my local ones appear to have closed in the last few years.

I'll order one and replace it if required. I forgot how easy bike clutches were to do. It took about 40 minutes including getting tools out and tidying up.

Cheers for the help.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

Shaft · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

But chains are sooooo much maintenance Wink

____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.