Hi guys -
am hoping someone here can help me track down a gasket for the left side generator cover on an '84 V30.... its got a slow oil leak, nothing that makes it un-rideable, but tends to foul the sidestand with oil and leave a patch on the garage floor when parked up, and drips oil back onto the left exhaust muffler when travelling.
Cant seem to find the OEM gasket (or any aftermarket replacement) on any of the usual internet sites - it keeps coming up as 'discontinued'.... Ive tried the usual tricks with gasket paper, sealant and that gasket paste stuff, but nothing's worked... usually it fixes it for a short time, but put a couple of hundred miles in the saddle and the drip's back :-x
Ive picked up a new generator cover - thought Id try that, in case the old one is slightly 'warped' or is in some way contributing to the problem, but really Id like to fit it with a proper gasket on to get it fixed once-and-for-all
Does anyone know where I might be able to source the gasket from?- its driving me nuts! And all for a few dollars worth of gasket!
If not, any ideas if the gasket from any other mid-80's honda model's might fit? Was the V30 gen a unique size and shape, or could I be using one from any other 500cc V4's
thanks in advance for any help!
tac
Bikebandit has it for $3.67 Here is the link, it's index #2.
http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1984-honda-magna-500-vf500c/o/m151722#sch88090 (http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1984-honda-magna-500-vf500c/o/m151722#sch88090)
Thanks for looking - but Ive tried them - its 'out of stock - not expected back in' (its why you cant select it on the webpage - no box to enter 'quantity')... same with cheapcycleparts, wemoto, all the usual websites
:-(
Honestly, you'd think I was trying to find an obscure part for the space shuttle the amount of time Ive spent on the internet and telephone so far... not a $4 gasket for a standard model from one of the world's largest manufacturers!
Time to buy some gasket material and make one then.
yep - thats what Im running on at the moment - it works at first, and keeps the leak to a slow drip, but it wont clear it up completely... had 4 attempts at it now, including one by a pro-mechanic... bike just doesnt like those paper gaskets I guess!
I'm hoping that someone might know a small independent retailer or mechanic that still has some in old stock, or anyone got some old V30 gaskets they never got around to using still in the workshop?
Is there a grommet where the electrical wires feed thru? It might be leaking there and the gasket may be fine..
interesting - hadn't thought of that... it seems to be coming from the bottom of the alternator cover... but I guess thats the lowest point where it would end up through gravity wherever it comes from.... I'll clean the area up, and try peering closely at the wiring grommits under a bright light.... I gather there's some UV dye you can add to oil to identify exactly where a leaks starting, but I'm damned if I can find that stuff in the shops here either -am currently living in the northern tail end of eastern europe, so we're not exactly blessed with continental US style dealers and customer service quality here!
Welcome to the forum!
I'm not sure what types of gasket makers/sealants you have available over there, but Permatex makes some good gasket makers. Here's one that is fuel/oil resistant and stays tacky:
http://www.permatex.com/products/Automotive/automotive_gasketing/gasket_makers/permatex_permashield_fuel_resistant_gasket_dressing_flange_sealant.htm (http://www.permatex.com/products/Automotive/automotive_gasketing/gasket_makers/permatex_permashield_fuel_resistant_gasket_dressing_flange_sealant.htm)
They also have one that is similar for motorcycles, but you can't use it with a paper gasket. These are meant to apply to bare metal. Make sure you read the instructions and allow proper drying time before putting oil back in. I think Hoot might be on to something with the grommet though so check that out first.
thanks - to be honest Im not sure what kind of sealants they have either - I dont read russian, and Im not sure Id trust the product if I did! :-?
I tend to buy most stuff online and get it mailed over - Im English originally (picked up the bike in the UK, its a Canadian import, way back) and so all the sealants Ive tried have been British brand names.
Im curious about the grommet though - theres no obvious wires coming out from behind the alt. cover, but Ive got a couple of days off work at the weekend so I'll take sprocket cover off and have a good root around, clean the whole area up and the get her running and just check its not leaking from somewhere behind the alt. cover and making its way forward...
(fortunately Im in no big hurry - the snows only just melted and the temperatures still pretty low and raining most of the time - reckon Ive got best part of a month before we get any decent riding weather....)
Be very careful when torking the side covers on, un even torking can cause a good gasket to leak. Also the aluminum block on my old 84 VF700C met its end because it cracked and these were the exact symptoms it sounds like you are facing. After several gasket attempts a hairline crack was finally visible however I doubt this is your problem, think that had to do with the extreme heating and cooling it faced in Minnesota. On another note, if it is not option 1 or 2. Please check hdlparts.com they are very slow but were able to get some original parts from Japan for me to help restore a 78 cb750 for my friend. Lastly, if you cannot get a replacement from them you can try high pressure "copper gasket compound" I have made several gaskets using this stuff purchased it at an auto parts store and it worked very well. Make sure 100% of debris are removed from all the surfaces, and they are perfectly smooth or even the best gasket compound or OEM gasket could leak
thanks ted - Ive finally managed to track one down via a main Honda dealer in Germany , but that's good advice about fitting it... I'm going to check the grommet where the cable comes out this week (as advised), and i'll have a good look for hairline cracks while Im in there (need to get the drive sprocket cover off to see if there's anything going on behind the alternator and get in there with a good bright light).
Fingers crossed that will fix the problem - then have some new HH brake pads to fit to beef the breaking up a little, will clean out the carbs (and fit a jet kit while Im in there), give her a good tune up (a more mechanically minded friend says he can check the cam chain and valves etc), clean the chain thoroughly and a little cosmetic work, including a decent clean - and she should be good to go for the summer... :-D
How's the work/ spring tune up coming???
Quote from: tedkraus on May 08, 2012, 02:54:39 AM
How's the work/ spring tune up coming???
thanks for asking - turns out Ive been really busy with work, so progress has been slow, but looks like its all falling into place...
finally tracked that alternator gasket down (bought 2 in the end, spare one just in case...)
problem was definitely the gasket/cover... on closer inspection the very bottom bolt hole in the cover was out of whack - looked like she'd been over on her side at some time and a rock had bashed it - the cover wasnt completely level (slightly bent out around bolt) so Ive put a new gasket and new cover on, fingers crossed this time! There's definitely no leaking from behind the alt cover, or from the gear shift or drive sprocket areas... so if the new alt cover & gasket dont fix it (havent been able to test it yet) then the last possibility is the same fall has left a hairline crack in the engine casing in the same area, but Im hoping that wont be the case...