Making Gaskets

Hi...quick question. I pulled off my alternator cover to shine it up a bit. however, when i did the gasket tore on me. not surprising since the age of the bike. anyway, there are very few bike shops around me that can order these gaskets and the ones who can want to charge me $30 or so. im thinking i'll just make my own since its a pretty easy job. but i'm not sure of the right material and thickness to use. any ideas? its for an 83 vf750f. any help would be great.. thanks!

 

I bought a big roll of gasket material at an auto parts store cheap and it worked great on the carb bowls... don't see y it wouldn't work for your application. Just cut to fit and presto

 

Try "make a gasket" on Utube.

 

yeah, tried that. making the gasket isn't the problem, so tutorials weren't overly helpful. My question relates more to what i would use to make it. the old one just looked like a rubber gasket, but how much does it matter about what thickness i would use? auto parts place has a dozen different sizes.

 

Sounds like you tossed what was left of the old gasket. If not that would be a good indicator. If so maybe some dumpster diving or take the cover into an autoparts store and show them what you want to do. I buy stuff from NAPA and the guys even in my hood know a lot about how things work. A liquid "gasket" might be taken into consideration too.

 

You've got a couple options... As stated above a roll of gasket material 18"x36" of Rubber Fibre Fel-Pro P/N FPG 3127 is $26 at NAPA here thats a 1/16th" thick and will work perfectly for the Alt. cover. The other option that I have used with some success is Permatex Aviation Form-a-Gasket P/N 3D (NAPA P/N BK 80017) $7.20...

I've seen guys use cereal box cardboard as well. but YMMV with that.

 

I am confirm of this statement.....Another solution is If you clean the surface well and apply a thin coat of hight heat RTV this will work.

 

Cornflakes? AllBran? Cheerios? Fruit Loops?

 

I think with the concern of cost the cheaper store brand cereal would be pretty cost effective

 

okay...thanks to all who replied. obviously, the first thing i will try is the free method (cereal box) since i'm so bloody cheap. if that doesnt work, i have a few options. thanks again!

 

Since this seems to be mostly a Canadian effort, to remain PC, may I suggest, using material from a box of Canada's official breakfast food, oatmeal..

Made a sealing ring/gasket for a high temperature low pressure, cooker recently. ( pressure fryer) I used a piece of a silicone cake pan I got at a yard sale for half a buck. Good to about 600 F.

 

I've tried all the cereal boxes, this one has the best quality cardboard. I toss the cereal however, it looks suspiciously like........well.....

 

is this a real thing? Lol

 

LOL!!!


Kellogg may have been chased by a gaggle of geese as a child and this is payback.

 

well, i decided to go with Cinnamon Toast Crunch...and it works great! took it for a little rip today for about an hour...not a drip! and free!! thanks to all!

 

Look pretty damn good.......:thumb:

 

Does it smell like cinnamon deliciousness when it gets warm lol

 

hey I need a full engine set for my 86 vfr750f LOL

 

http://www.kelloggcompany.com/en_US/home.html

 

That's a lot of cereal.... hope your hungry