its definitely overkill......I started doing this to my small block chevy valve cover gaskets...the old cork ones ...it was the easiest way to keep the gasket in place...just kinda kept doing it. The gasket never falls off..at the dirt track...that was a real plus...it caries over to just about any flat gasket ;0)

 

Aftermarket derby covers use the flat ones. Most of the Harley ones are all flat gasket style now anyway. Btw, you can get the gaskets a hell of a lot cheaper on J&P cycles. I usually buy them by the dozen which is the price of about 3 Harley ones.

 

I bought a new HD derby cover for my 2015 Ultra Limited Low. The dealer pointed out the ones that are designed for the new narrow case. It comes with the channel to hold the orange flex ring gasket.....I was advised to buy a new orange ring gasket. I'm not sure I really could not have used my old one but for a few bucks more I bought a new one. I was advised to NOT use the flat paper gasket since the new cover had a channel for the orange gasket.

 

I wa able to re-use my o-ring style gasket with no issues. Just had to wipe it clean so that it would stay in the groove

 

I don't wipe. Cause I don't see a reason. Might even hurt. Tighten down on orings dry is bad. Though in this case I doubt it would hurt. Just seems like a waste of time. 75k miles, I think replaced once cause it came with primary kit.

If it were to leak, not hard to replace on the fly, and not going to leak so bad will cause damage. Visible area to monitor too.

 

Should at least wipe the dirt/dust off the outside edge.
And that oil that drips off and runs down the outside of the primary...

Doubt he was indicating he puts a dry o-ring on there. Not that it would be a problem really. Real low-tech o-ring application we're taking about.

 

Was out of country the month of July - just got home, my new derby cover from Boardtracker was in my mail - change the covers yesterday

As stated - the back side is exactly like the stock cover - I just had my 5000 mile service done in May - the orange gasket looked new - no need to replace. used new bolts and followed torque pattern and numbers - good to go.

 

I think the original question was more of can the orange gasket be re-used, rather than which gasket for which Derby cover.

Yes, they can be re-used several times. However, the gasket costs maybe $2 or $3, so I'd just replace it for the peace of mind. I just bought the 3 o-ring rubber washers and orange gasket for my fluid change for $5.

 

FggI Am the original Question. It was a 2 part question re-use Orange or Need Flat?

I just looked at my bill for my 5000 mile - HD charged me $5.95 + tax for the Orange gasket - If I laid the new Orange next to the Orange gasket I just took out - I would chlallange you to tell them apart. As stated by several people here, the Orange gasket can be used sevearl times.

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