Pattern gaskets - any experience?

[yeadon_m]

http://www.wemoto.com/bikes/Suzuki/GT_750_A_B/76-77/

Folks,
Wemoto are generally well-regarded but I have no experience of their gaskets. The price of head gaskets from Suzuki is eye watering and wemoto sell pattern gaskets are close to half that. I am always a bit worried by something not warrantied (pattern parts should work or they are a poor pattern) but at this much of a saving, I am considering it.

Anyone have any good or bad experiences to share from doing that on head gaskets?

Cheers,
Mike

[BAZ]

All the after market gaskets I have use were ok but the head gaskets are 1.8mm thick the genuine one is .8mm so you use a bit of compression. I use seagar engineering on ebay. Cheers BAZ http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/seager-engineering/

[yeadon_m]

Good tip Baz - thanks. Just browsed Seager and they do pattern piston kits at various oversizes too.
I doubt I am going to care too much about a small reduction in compression. Its not like I am an racer. And if you are happy to use these gaskets, so I am :-)
Cheers,
Mike

[BAZ]

One advantage of the thicker gadget is you don't get water leaks.

[oldjapanesebikes]

The past three gasket sets I've bought have been from these folks - I'm quite happy with them. They include the lower water pipe spigot gasket, as well as the oil pump o-rings which is nice. I also bought two sets of the front fork tubes they offer for the J/K and a few other things. No complaints.

[yeadon_m]

Good to know - thanks Baz and Ian.

One more question - the anti-leak washers under the large cylinder head bolts - I guess it is best to change these? they have some kind of rubberised inner lip and several of mine show evidence of ooze on my B. Now I have it apart.... GTReiner sells an aftermarket set for EU 14 so seems a good idea which I'm inclined to at this point given I am in for several hundred anyway. Might as well do it properly.

Those on my A are completely water tight, no leaks after nearly 1000 miles, so once again, the previous owner did a great job. Unlike the B, the A while ugly when I bought it had been faultlessly rebuilt on the engineering side. Just shows the variation in competence out there. Including mine for buying the wretched B !!

Cheers,
Mike

[kettle738]

Hi Mike, correct me if I'm wrong but I always understood the purpose of the rubber seal dowty washers was to keep water out rather than in as there shouldn't be any coolant around the studs,,,,,,,the J models never had them, just large chrome washers with a lock washer and the dowty washer was an improvement to rectify a problem of water ingress.

I recently put a set on my J from Robinsons and they weren't cheap, I didn't know Reiner did a pattern set, but they are probably worth a try.

Mick...............kettle738

[yeadon_m]

Ah, you are right Mick, thanks. My B's corrosion from one or two head bolts might have been from wet riding (I have been known, just not often). I will save my pennies them.
Mike