2001 Gs500e. Need help on replacing Cyclinder Head Gasket?? I have no manual

[dcb0ys09]

I have a 2001 Gs500e. It has a tiny leak in the cylinder head gasket. Luckily its at the top and all I have to do is pull the gas tank off to get to the bolts. I bought the gasket already, but I do not have a service or owners manual for the bike. I am wondering if anyone knows the amount of torque I need to put on the bolts when I put the cylinder head back on?? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Wanting to do this in the next few days.

-Michael

[Trwhouse]

Michael, oh Michael,

Hi there.
Honestly, you will make your life a lot simpler if you go and buy a service manual for your bike.
Why?
Because replacing the head gasket will not be a simple job and you will need lots of other info as you disassemble things and then properly reassemble things.
Are you also buying all the rubber o-rings and other parts that you'll need?
I recommend that if this is something you truly plan to tackle, then you need the right parts, tools and manual to do it properly.

Oh, and by the way, do you mean CYLINDER HEAD GASKET or do you mean VALVE COVER GASKET?

They are two VERY different projects.

A valve cover gasket isn't so bad.

A HEAD GASKET is not simple at all, especially if you don't have some experience, tools, parts and a manual.

Best wishes,

Trwhouse

[dcb0ys09]

http://www.bikebandit.com/2001-suzuki-gs500/o/m6062#sch233131

I am fixing #2, the gasket at the bottom of that link. This one doesn't seem too involved. I work on computers not auto's, so sorry if my wording is off. I learn as I go and if this was the other gasket farther down I would have my dealer do it. But this one seems manageable. I'm not even sure if those bolts need to be torqued down. That's another question I was going to get at. I have a service manual for 89-99. I know in 2001 they changed these bikes for looks, and added a better gas tank, but as far as the engine goes, I think they stayed the same. So I'm curious also if I could go off the 1999 gs500 service manual for specs on the engine.

[Allen]

looks like the valve cover gasket, theres a video by kerry that shows how to get up in there. just remove the bolts on top. I think there are 4 allen bolts.  The breather thingy needs to come off to give you some clearance, and maybe the things that are bolted to the crossmember of the frame.  It just needs to be tight enough to not leak oil. Have fun

[Allen]

and the manual says installation is reverse of removal.

[mike__R]

So I'm curious also if I could go off the 1999 gs500 service manual for specs on the engine.

For that part of the engine yes you can use the '99 manual.