PaulP

Mine is certainly the original gsx1100es from 1983, but surely all head gaskets have oil channels running through them to get oil to the cams, so does there have to be an o ring?

Now another problem, the head gasket came in a set marked as GSX1100es but it’s not quite right at the ends, on the original there are 4 holes at each end with an o ring, the new set doesn’t have these and the holes are not big enough to take an O ring, if I look on the Internet they all look the same though, these holes certainly appear to be oil channels, has anyone done this or have any thoughts on it ?

After all the effort to loosen them I found that you don’t actually need to, the rocker cover comes off with them still in place so I have the head off now, just wondering should I take the barrel off as well? , no particular need to unless there any O rings that could do with replacement?, otherwise maybe don’t try to fix what isn’t broken might be appropriate?, I also think maybe refitting the barrel on my own while in the bike could be a bit fiddly, any thoughts or advice??

Is that a good idea when the screw heads are still good?, I would have thought that there was more contact on a proper driver ?

So a good start with the exhaust coming off easily, first time in over 30 years , but step 2 not do good, the end covers for the cam covers, the ones with 2 Philips head screws in each, I thought a good old fashioned impact driver that you hit with a hammer would do these, but no, I had 3 suitable sized driver bits and I broke the tips of all 3, one of them still stuck in the screw head, any recomendations on how to loosen these screws, not touched since about 1985 ???

Hi Do I need to remove the engine for a head gasket replacement or can I do it in situ? Any recommendations where to get a gasket kit for the top end ? Thanks

Do you mean just pour a little oil in and test compression?, if so then no I haven’t, how much should I use per cylinder?

I have a GSX1100esd and have had it since 1984, originally it was my everyday bike but when kids came along it didnt get much use, then none at all for many years, so ihave given it an oil and filter change, cleaned the carbs and fitted a new battery, it runs, but only on 3 cylinders, i cannot get any heat on the exhaust on no 2, i have swapped the plug and lead over with no3 but no change, i bought a cheap but supposedly working set of carbs as i could not find any fault with the originals, but again it will not run on no2, it would be an unlucky coincidence for both sets of carbs to have a problem on no2. I bought a compression tester and find that i have very low compression on all cyclinders, 60 to 90 psi, with no2 being at 70 psi, this seems way to low, or maybe my tester is not so good, any thoughts on how to progress ??