When it’s time to perform a little routine maintenance on your beloved vintage bike, you’re bound to encounter a gasket from time to time that just won’t budge. It’s a debate that has been going on among seasoned riders and newbies for generations: how do you remove a stuck gasket? You may be tempted to bring out the power tools and abrasive scrubbers and wire discs, but be aware that the potential exists to do more harm than good. Using plastic or nylon fiber scrubbers may remove the old gasket, but fibers from the scrubber can get loose and end up in your engine. Likewise, using a wire wheel or steel wool disc on a grinding or cutting tool can leave you with metal fragments in your engine oil or embedded in your components—and possibly a warranty issue.
To properly remove stuck gaskets, try soaking them in WD-40 or using a chemical gasket remover to soften or loosen the gasket material. Chemical gasket removers may have features like low-VOC, or may be formulated to work better on a particular gasket material. A gasket scraper is a specialty tool designed to remove old gasket material from mating surfaces with a thin, wide scraper head. These handy tools come in a few different models, so you can find one that fits the way you work. Gasket scrapers are made to allow for removal of tough, stuck gasket without gouging or marring your delicate engine surfaces. Nicks and gouges prevent the proper seal necessary to keep your engine running well. For stubborn gaskets, it may be necessary to soak the topmost layers of the gasket and scrape them away as they soften. Repeat the soak-and-scrape procedure until the gasket is removed and the surface is clean.
At Gasket King, we carry thousands of top-quality composite fiber gaskets that exceed OEM specs and carry a great price. Gasket King manufactures custom replacement gaskets for vintage motorcycles. Whether you ride a Bultaco, Triumph, Yamaha, Suzuki, Polaris, Hodaka, Kawasaki or a Honda, we can make your gasket to your exact specifications. Our gaskets are made in the United States and are fabricated from high-quality American materials. Each custom replacement gasket we make carries our Gasket King guarantee so you can shop with confidence. We are passionate about motorsports, so we understand your relationship with your machine. We make it our goal to bring you the finest replacement gaskets available. Call 817.562.8178 or shop online today to see our full line of replacement gaskets and learn more about our custom fabrication services.
