500/4 cylinder head gasket

[pritchard1921]

Hi.My cylinder head gasket is weeping oil. I read somewhere that they all do this and even after fitting a new one it can start weeping again after a short time. is this true? If I do replace the gasket can I remove the head with the engine in the frame? The Hayes manual says engine has to come out and a US shop manual I have says head can be taken off with engine in frame!!! Any info would be welcome. Cheers Phil.

[SteveD CB500K0]

Yes you can strip the top end with the engine in the frame.

I'll leave comments on head gasket oil leaks to Bryan 

Steve

[florence]

I think it would depend upon how much oil is leaking.  When I have had head gaskets fail in the past, gas has leaked out under pressure; then one knows it really is broken.  As long as it is running correctly, a tiny seepage of oil wouldn't worry me unduly, unless I was planning to take it apart for some other reason.

[matthewmosse]

Personally I'd just live with it unless it's really bad. Mine leaked for years in a quite minor way. A new gaskett may well cure it but could well just waste a day you could spend riding. Easy enough with engine in frame.

[Bryanj]

Oil mist leave it alone, liquid oil replace it BUT you will need a complete top end set as when you pull the head it loosens the base gasket plus you need all the "O" rings and rubber discs.

ALSO read the manual VERY carefully paying special attention to placement of the cam chain slipper and the replacement of the cam cover

[pritchard1921]

Thanks for the info everybody. I will keep an eye on it to see if it gets any worse. Cheers Phil.

[z1100r]

As i've said a couple of times the engine in mine is my old race bike engine with Kawasaki pistons and a homemade copper head gasket. Its no different oil leak wise though and I used to have the head off once a year to anneal and reseat the gasket.

 Decided I'm modding it now I'm renovating the whole bike. I dont want periodic oil leaks mucking it up.

 Not looked properly yet but something like :-