I used genuine james mls head gasket and base gasket set, my head gaskets are leaking by where those little copper or brass rings are on the sides of the head gasket, what did i do wrong? Followed correct torque specs

 

What year is the bike? it could be a cracked crankcase or stretched bolts.

 

its a 97 road king

 

We do not use the china James MLS fake cometic - you would think if your going to copy a hi quality piece you would at least try and make it the right way

well they didn’t - the stuff they built the gasket business on is always a go to but not the copied newer fake **** they are now making

 

Not a James fan anymore. They used to be very good but quality went big time down hill. I like/use Cometic now.

 

Have to say I ordered cometic 0.030's previously when I was doing my top end and I hated that they put those stupid brass rivets in there. Dont allow for a flat seal on the heads and if you dont know better, trying to use them with the rivet in place will damage your head mating surface. I have used James gaskets for years and never had any problems with these.

 

The brass rivets are on the outside, they do not even come in contact with the heads or jugs.

 

One word... COMETIC......
My torque sequence is 11 ft lb, 22 ft lb, 32 ft lb, 42 ft lb... done...

 

exactly!

 

In the states we dont fold the gasket up like a sandwich - or maybe dont cut the rivet off and place it on the jug next time