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The time has come to replace the clutch on my '02 883. I've got parts (BDL extra plate clutch, primary gasket kit, compressor tool) in the mail, but am curious about removing the primary gasket.
My old bike was an '82 Yamaha Virago, and when I first removed the side cases the gaskets were absolutely fused to the cover and the block. I carefully used razor blades to remove the material, and gasket dresser when re-installing. Never had any leaking issues after that, but I know a lot of people caution against using blades on the soft aluminum mating surfaces. Should I expect any issues like that? Or do these gaskets typically separate easily from the mating surfaces? Nothing in the manual warns about gaskets getting stuck/fused.
I've seen gasket removal wheel tools, but don't want to drop more $$ if these gaskets typically come off easy enough.
... the gaskets were absolutely fused to the cover and the block ... Should I expect any issues like that? Or do these gaskets typically separate easily from the mating surfaces? ....
The gasket should come off easily; may be even start to drop off as soon as the cover comes off. I just opened mine not long ago.
I've had my Primary Cover off twice and on both occasions the cover came cleanly away leaving the gasket completely intact on the crankcase . Better still , I have replaced the Primary Cover using the original gasket and there is absolutely no trace of an oil leak , none .
The gasket should come off easily; may be even start to drop off as soon as the cover comes off. I just opened mine not long ago.
PERFECT, this is just what I was hoping people would chime in and say.
Originally Posted by Midpegs
I've had my Primary Cover off twice and on both occasions the cover came cleanly away leaving the gasket completely intact on the crankcase . Better still , I have replaced the Primary Cover using the original gasket and there is absolutely no trace of an oil leak , none .
Sweet, this is just what I was hoping to hear. I guess I probs could have tried to re-use the gasket, ordered the kit as a cheap insurance policy, don't want to miss any more riding this summer than I already am right now. That's awesome it was re-usable. If I have to pull the cover again, I'll definitely just re-use the gasket.
Thanks for the reference pics! Looks clean in there.
Update: the gasket did not come off in one piece lol. I was a little skeptical that a 18y/o gasket would come off in one piece. Glad I ordered a primary gasket kit.
Case mating surfaces cleaned up easy enough, not nearly as bad as the gaskets on my 82. Didnt have a gasket removal tool, but i had a spare piece of schedule 80 PVC leftover from my front end that I used to scrape all the old gasket material off. Worked like a charm, just took a while. Id imagine the hard PVC would work great on even worse cases without damaging the surface like blades would.
Yeah I dont think HD was using a metal lined Primary gasket back then. The newer one's are at least on the big twins and doubt they would do anything less on the Sporty line.
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Question about removing Primary Cover
