KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: JRRacing on September 05, 2017, 04:20:47 AM

Title: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
Post by: JRRacing on September 05, 2017, 04:20:47 AM

Stock motor if that matters

Title: Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
Post by: sandblaster on September 05, 2017, 10:04:10 AM

It all depends on what your trying to do with it...
Here is food for thought..

(http://www.oem-cycle.com/forum/download/file.php?id=6171)

Title: Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
Post by: JRRacing on October 06, 2017, 03:05:45 AM

Link broken ?

Title: Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
Post by: Larry Wiechman on October 06, 2017, 05:46:57 AM

I recommend Kawasaki Part # 11004-1187. It's a thin steel gasket about .011 thick.

Title: Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
Post by: sandblaster on October 06, 2017, 06:21:46 AM

+ 1  8-)

Title: Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
Post by: Hawkeye58 on October 31, 2017, 06:29:07 AM

Can you fellas touch on why you prefer the thinner gasket to the .4 or the 1.0 wafer one?

Title: Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
Post by: mazderati on May 08, 2018, 04:03:36 AM

Bump.

(https://i.imgur.com/fwmFGeo.gif)


Found this thread while searching for info on the three OEM head gasket thickness options:  0.10, 0.40, and 1.00.  Why is one recommended over the other?

For my particular situation, the bike has a Pro Circuit Platinum 2 pipe, the Pro Circuit recommended jetting, Larry's compression release head (thanks, Larry), and is stock otherwise.  Riding is a purely recreational mix of trails and forest roads although I like to be on the pipe.

Title: Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
Post by: Green Flash on May 23, 2018, 07:50:59 AM

I went with the thickest oem available.

Title: Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
Post by: sandblaster on May 23, 2018, 07:55:00 AM

If you want the most performance from your stock 89-04 KX500 use the .010" gasket.
If you want to take some of the hit away go thicker which will lower your compression and reduce your power.
Some trail guys do this.

Title: Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
Post by: mazderati on July 03, 2018, 03:39:01 AM

Thanks for the input.  I ended up going with the thinner head gasket at Larry W's recommendation.  Have not bolted the head down so no starting or riding impression yet.