EVO All Evo Model Discussion

Cometic primary gasket?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 10:58 AM
  #1  
t150vej's Avatar
t150vej
Thread Starter
|
HDF Community Team
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 2,570
From: NC USA
Community Team
Default Cometic primary gasket?

Hopefully this thread won't incite a riot but... I know a lot of you guys are sold on Cometic gaskets and that's fine. I've noticed some OEM gaskets look to be made the same (trans top and side cover, rocker lowers, SE head gaskets).

My question is - they offer a metal/foam primary gasket for about 2 1/2 times the price of others and also that type for the nose cone and maybe other places. So what is the selling point of the foam sandwiched metal? Is it reusable or something?

Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 11:05 AM
  #2  
legacycycles's Avatar
legacycycles
Oops
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Pantego,NC.
Default

They dont leak...I have reused the primary gasket before on my bike actually more than once,but its not recommend...But back when my bike still had the shovel in it,i tried everything,james,GB,etc..Even tried doubling the gaskets with silicone and the primary still leaked.Installed the cometic and no more problems.Ive honestley had no issues with cometic est gaskets,ever.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 11:42 AM
  #3  
Buddy WMC's Avatar
Buddy WMC
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Default

I'm using them on my cam cover and primary. So far, so good no leaks and I did reuse the primary once already.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 01:39 PM
  #4  
gsxrboy96's Avatar
gsxrboy96
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 1
Default

mls cometic gaskets don't leak, period.. another plus to the mls is that it will help with warped or poorly machined surfaces, i pay the extra money, I only wanna do the job once.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 02:47 PM
  #5  
96 FXD's Avatar
96 FXD
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Default

Cometic everything on my bike without issue. Check out Jireh for killer prices, if they have what you need in stock. I think the biggest reason for all of the leaky primaries in the HD world is that lots of people overtorque them and warp the hell out of them, especially the Derby cover. Once they get warped you're always going to be fighting leaks. I've used James sucessfully, too.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 05:22 PM
  #6  
t150vej's Avatar
t150vej
Thread Starter
|
HDF Community Team
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 2,570
From: NC USA
Community Team
Default

Reason I asked, The trans top and side cover OEM are foam/metal. I bought a cheap, no-name complete engine set 2 years ago that literally covers 84 thru 99, oil pump changes and all. It was only 55.00 and shrink wrapped to a cardboard that fits my TourPak perfectly and takes up no room. Granted the head gaskets are junk (the blue teflon ones) and I wouldn't use profile metal on a base at all but everything else looked ok. I needed to rob a nose cone gasket out and it was the foam/metal. Used it last week and was going to reuse it if they don't fall apart. I swapped cams again today and it looked good and I went back with it. If it leaks, I'm gonna hunt up everyone one of ya who said they won't leak on a re-use. ha-ha, just kidding.

Thanks for your time guys...
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 05:26 PM
  #7  
FLYING's Avatar
FLYING
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 802
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
Default

The gasket is thicker and makes up for any low/high spots - warping on the gasket surface and gves it a very good seal!
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2010 | 06:30 AM
  #8  
Buddy WMC's Avatar
Buddy WMC
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Default

Originally Posted by t150vej
Reason I asked, The trans top and side cover OEM are foam/metal. I bought a cheap, no-name complete engine set 2 years ago that literally covers 84 thru 99, oil pump changes and all. It was only 55.00 and shrink wrapped to a cardboard that fits my TourPak perfectly and takes up no room. Granted the head gaskets are junk (the blue teflon ones) and I wouldn't use profile metal on a base at all but everything else looked ok. I needed to rob a nose cone gasket out and it was the foam/metal. Used it last week and was going to reuse it if they don't fall apart. I swapped cams again today and it looked good and I went back with it. If it leaks, I'm gonna hunt up everyone one of ya who said they won't leak on a re-use. ha-ha, just kidding.

Thanks for your time guys...
Made setting up the endplay on the cam easier I'll bet too!
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
krazy3
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
9
Jul 2, 2019 12:11 PM
rdpclassic
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
3
Apr 12, 2013 01:33 PM
Captain Itch
Touring Models
26
Mar 30, 2011 10:19 PM
albngore
Softail Models
13
Feb 23, 2009 02:57 PM
bgrasn
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
2
Feb 1, 2009 05:42 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:25 PM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE