Flick's gasket doesn't look bad at all but I'm wondering if I should replace it 

Mary

If you don't replace it, it will leak. You can read up here:
http://beergarage.com/GSGasket.aspx
For a way to try and re-use your gasket but in the end this still didn't work for beer garage and he had to try again. I would rather pay $35 for a new head gasket than risk having to take the bike apart again.
You really should also replace the head o-rings and cylinder base gasket to be sure you don't end up with leaks. On the GS, the base gasket is clamped by the same bolts as the head gasket so you can lose that perfect seal.

If you have more time than money you could try re-using all the gaskets. If it does leak, it won't be horrible so you could ride the bike until you get a chance to take it apart again and replace the gaskets. Be prepared to have a dirty engine if you end up with a leak.

I've reused head gaskets on air cooled bikes before. Using a good sealant spray such as Halamar helps. Make sure all surfaces are well cleaned.
That said if you can afford a new head gasket or are patient enough to wait to get the chance to get one (which is usually why I've reused, I'm impatient) it is better to use new gaskets, they aren't expensive in the whole scheme of things.

Can a head gasket be reused?

Yes.

Would I do it?

No.

Go a new gasket always. Very high chance of leakage Etc etc if you re use unless it's like a brand spanker new one just put on.

Yes but only if you want to redo all the work have done to it because it will not last very long.

So the less labor and cost answer is no Please go buy a new head gasket. Also, you should purchase new head bolts because of the torque (stretch) and heating/contracting the bolts go through. Many people have reused their bolts with no problems, but I figured I give you the correct answer.

Also, check the top of the cylinder block and bottom of the cylinder head with a straight edge and a set of feeler gauges for warpness. Lastly, use a good sealer on each cylinder head bolt before installing and torque down to spec's.

What do you mean by, "a good sealer?"

 Permatex #2 on engine head bolts only

BTW I sent you a PM

reusing a head gasket is like reusing a condom it can be done but not real smart.

The only head Gasket That I know of can be reused is a special solid copper gasket used in some hopped up diesel engines (there might be an aircraft application too, not sure). If its in good condition and it is re heat treated it can be reused.

Otherwise replace it. The gasket has been crushed and gone through heat cycles. Also it may have small flaws you can't see.

Assuming the the surfaces are smooth or have been machined put a new gasket on and its fixed. put the old one on and its very likely you wasted you time and money.

One question how many of you have actually reused a head gasket?
I have on my own bike so I could get to and from work and could afford the time to properly pull down the engine for a rebuild. Worked well too. Seen it done on quite a number of trail bikes too which is why I did it to get me out of trouble. Not much is available on a Sunday afternoon where I live.

I prefer to buy new gaskets plus bolts but comments such as its the same as reusing a condom don't compare. Its not the same and if you are doing it to make something go forward to a where either time or money allow you to redo the work or because you don't want to waist money on the engine and its not a road going bike (IE something to throw around the paddock), then go for it. Just make sure all surfaces are square and cleaned. The gasket is in good order and use a good sealant spray such as Halamar which is good for filling in little imperfections (I use it on fresh builds too, just in case) then it should work till you get a chance to redo your work with a new gasket and head bolts.

If you are just cheap or lazy stop working on the engine now.

Should you reuse? No! Can you successfully? Yes. Will it last as long? Hell No. Will it get you out of trouble? Possibly?

I have had mixed results reusing head & base gaskets. Had to at the track due to a leaking base gasket, had flaw in the cylinder base. Held strong after fixing the leak but it had limited run time prior, just built the engine. On another build, tried Copper Coat with poor results. Maybe I used too much. A friend used to use silver spray paint on his race car head gaskets. He said any metallic paint will work. Cometic makes the copper gaskets, which are reusable... had those on several engines and going to use one on the 569 engine I have to finish assembling.

btw... condoms can be reused... just turn it inside out and shake the f*** out of it.

I think everyone is pretty much in argeement here....bad idea.......the risk/benefit is just not there.

A quick search...gasket is under $30...not cheap..but not so expensive as to try to skimp.

If I was stuck in the middle of a desert, dying of thirst, and used gasket was the only way out...I'd use it.   (like flight of the Phoenix)...otherwise I'd spring for new...

Cookie

Quote from: Bluesmudge on December 03, 2011, 09:07:43 PM
If you don't replace it, it will leak. You can read up here:
http://beergarage.com/GSGasket.aspx

Now I'm left wondering why he "coppered his gasket" ?

I'd re-use a gasket for experimental reasons; e.g. building an engine and planning to test severial different ring gaps for clearance. But once I had the final build set, I'd replace with a new gasket.

Head gaskets are not super expensive, and replacing them takes a good bit of time. If you're in there, I'd suggest replacing it.

Base gaskets, and the oil o-rings I'd be willing to re-use, so long as they are fresh... E.g. if I had installed new o-rings a few hundred miles ago, I'd re-use them. If what's in there is more than a year old, I'd probably replace.

actually a condom and a head gasket are exactly the same thing.  YOu can reuse a condom it may get you by it may keep you outta trouble in a pinch is it smart to reuse it...no why because it could break, its not ment to be reused. why should a head gasket not be reused?  It may have weak spots in it that could break and its not ment to be reused.  when torquing the head it flattens the rings around the cylinder wall to the head.  Once you flatten these out with proper torque there is nothing there to flatten out the next time to make a prefect seal.  So in conclusion if you cant afford to fix it right leave it broken.  Gaskets arent expensive. 2 fill ups in the bike pays for a gasket.

Quote from: joshr08 on December 05, 2011, 04:36:50 PM
actually a condom and a head gasket are exactly the same thing.  YOu can reuse a condom it may get you by it may keep you outta trouble in a pinch is it smart to reuse it...no why because it could break, its not ment to be reused. why should a head gasket not be reused?  It may have weak spots in it that could break and its not ment to be reused.  when torquing the head it flattens the rings around the cylinder wall to the head.  Once you flatten these out with proper torque there is nothing there to flatten out the next time to make a prefect seal.  So in conclusion if you cant afford to fix it right leave it broken.  Gaskets arent expensive. 2 fill ups in the bike pays for a gasket.

So ignoring the point that you may not have access to get the said cheap gasket? As I pointed out  needing the bike the next day and its a Sunday afternoon. Oh yes lets leave it broke and not go to work and in the end cost me quite a substantial more than running the risk of an oil leak, which didn't happen...hmmmm. OH GOD NOT AN OIL LEAK! We are talking about whether you can. We established long ago that you shouldn't unless you absolutely have to... Reading its such a trial.

Besides these are not water cooled engines.  It might not be happy but it will come out the other side.

As for your condom.... If we were talking a water cooled engine I would have agreed but we are talking oil/air cooled engines.

I see lots of parts that are cheap reused all the time. Put you hand up if you have just adjusted that belt tensioner a little longer so you don't need to replace the fan belt just yet? Worse case it snaps, your water pump stops and you cook your engine. Hmmmmm reusing a head gasket on an oil/air cooled engine versus making do with a belt that if not there will total your engine hmmmm.....

Sorry if I seem grumpy and all ranty about this but I often feel people say without ever trying themselves. I hate arguing only to find out the person I'm arguing with has no hands on experience.
Try work on a farm where parts are several days away and you need to harvest or move cattle NOW for their safety. Lets see how high and mighty those arguments last then. The price of killing one motorbike in the long run vs getting your cattle to safety or market to make money far out weighs your thoughts of under no circumstances.

I need to shut up and not let people get to me I think. Dam internet!

i have never and would never reuse a head gasket base gasket air cooled or water. no mater the motor why you ask.   becasue i dont like redoing work that i have already took the time to do. i am a state lic. motorcycle mechanic and wont waste my time or energy doing something that will have to be redone to save 5 bucks.  I will wait to finish the project until all parts are bought period.  As for my condom part of the story it is no different then its sunday afternoon theres no where to get the part and i need to get to work tomorrow.  I HAVE A VAN.  have a good day.  As for marys motor its been down for a while so we all know she has other ways to get around and should not waste the time putting the motor back together without a new headgasket.