help with leftside crankcase cover gasket

[BadBatzMaru]

so my leftside engine cover is leaking and I wanna replace the gasket.
1) Can I just lean the bike over to the right or do I need to drain the oil?
2) Can you recommend good gasket removers scrapers and makers to use for this application? permatex? a specific kind? Can I just get this stuff at an auto parts store or is there a good source online

Thank you

[500rider]

I bought the paper gasket from the dealer.  I think it was about 10 bucks CDN.  

I heard permatex is good too.  I didn't have any problem getting the gasket off but it was only about 2 years old when I did it.  

Rob

[500rider]

I forgot to mention to you before that if you are removing the left side cover that there are two screws hiding under the sprocket cover.  You have to remove the sprocket cover to get them out.  I thought the side cover was stuck until I figured out there were more screws.  I was trying to gently pry it off with a screw driver and I lightly marked the engine case.  Luckily it wasn't bad and doesn't leak.  

Just ignore this post if you are smarter than I.  

Rob

[Blueknyt]

NONONONo, do Not use permatex on the cover,  both side covers have Oil galleys in them to feed the counter shaft, permatex is ok for somethings, but i wouldnt use it with anything (other then threads) that has/channels Oil under pressure.

A chunk could break off and Plug the galley or just as bad, allow a "Blowout" and leak oil from the galley into the crank case, you wouldnt see this but the effect would be the same, the CB shaft bearings will start (more) for oil.   use the Gasket and either coat it with low Fibre wheel bearing grease, or use a thin film of 1104 or yamabond or the like.  I use the Grease and NEVER had an Issue including with My Home made gaskets for Both left and right Cover (use the factory one as a Template)  The Grease also makes it easyer to Remove the Cover and Gasket in one piece later down the road.

[Blueknyt]

*Starve (more) for oil

[Bob Broussard]

I use Permatex Aviation gasket sealer. It is a dark sticky liquid. Comes in a small bottle with a brush in the lid.
I just use on the side case only, so the gasket comes off with the case.
I don't put any on the spot where to oil passage is.
And it doesn't take much.
The Permatex "form-a-gasket" is meant as a replacement for the gasket.
I wouldn't use it for this purpose either..

[500rider]

There you go ... good thing I dug this post out again.  That's why I used the OEM gasket because I didn't know about how that permatex stuff is used.

Rob

[BadBatzMaru]

There you go ... good thing I dug this post out again.  

yeah!
well I actually havent done anything yet cause I'm still waiting for the oem gasket to arrive... and its been snowing again here this week... so much for that. anyway I'l try to find some sealer/yamabond or similar at the local shops although they suck IMO.  would gasket remover be a universal kind of thing I can get at any auto parts store? I'd rather get as much stuff from auto parts places as possible cause i really dread going to the m/c shop (at least the ones close to me....)

thanx!

[Bob Broussard]

Just pull off the old gasket as much as you can. Then use a razor blade to scrape off the rest. Just be careful not to gouge the aluminum surfaces.
You can finish off with a little sandpaper.