Head and base gaskets

[facepants]

I purchased a new set of head and base gaskets when I started working on my bike.  Since then, I've removed and reinstalled the head and cylinders 5 or 6 times, so the gaskets have been compressed quite a few times.  However, I have not run the engine, so the sealant coating that comes on the gaskets has not been heated yet.

Should the gaskets still be okay?

[sledge]

Personaly I would say not, once or twice maybe but not 5 or 6 times. However I am sure others will say they will be perfectly ok.

[ducati_nolan]

No, get some new ones. The head gasket is pretty much a one shot deal, and the base gasket is too cheap not to replace. Especially after 5 times, it's shot. Why did you have to take it apart 5 times anyways?

[dgyver]

I have done at least that many times before without any problems, even after running at idle for short periods.

[facepants]

Why did you have to take it apart 5 times anyways?

Just kept finding more problems. 

The mechanic I took it to for a diagnostic pointed me in the wrong direction.  He told me he did a leakdown test and said it wasn't the valves.  So of course, that's the last place I look.

It was the valves.