76' V1000 Convert head gasket weeping, replace gasket or try re-torque?

[Joshua]

New to me bike, fully rebuilt some 13 years ago.

One of the head gaskets is weeping when out for some small rides. Originally thought is was just the breather tube as it had a small hole, but after replacing that I still get some oil showing up, dark between cooling fins related to the head gasket and some oil showing up on the battery cover and bottom of fins. Everything else in the area is dry?

My question is this, with the gaskets new at rebuild, should I just try re-torque first? Or once the gasket is wet it will continue to weep even at proper torque value's and needs to be replaced?

Hoping to not need to pull the head, but understand if it is the right way to fix the issue.









Thanks,

Joshua

[rodekyll]

Either approach will fix it -- if the torque doesn't get it the replacement will.  Torqueing is easy and doesn't take much time.  However, the major pain in the retorque procedure is getting the rockers disassembled.  You also disassemble the rockers to replace the gasket.  So the questions are:  How lucky do you feel, and how many times do you want to take the rockers apart?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Only the engine is '76 Convert. 

I would try retorquing the heads and replacing the o-ring on the underside of the cover plug for the top head nut. That is, if it has the Convert/Tonti style cover plugs and not the Loop type (27 mm hex with aluminum crush washer). 

[Joshua]

Thanks guys, i will start with the re-torque.

Charlie, good eye, thought you might recognize her. Not so familiar with the cover plugs for the top head nut, its either a plug over the nut or just the 27 mm nut with crush washer? So only need an o-ring if there's just a plug?

Or am I just being dense and your covering the bases for all who may be interested.

In which case,

Do you know offhand the size of the o-ring?

Thanks,

Joshua

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Thanks guys, i will start with the re-torque.

Charlie, good eye, thought you might recognize her. Not so familiar with the cover plugs for the top head nut, its either a plug over the nut or just the 27 mm nut with crush washer? So only need an o-ring if there's just a plug?

Or am I just being dense and your covering the bases for all who may be interested.

In which case,

Do you know offhand the size of the o-ring?

Thanks,

Joshua

It'll be either a round cap that uses a 10 mm hex/"allen" bit to remove (with o-ring) or a 27 mm hex (w/crush washer). The o-ring is 2.62 x 20 mm according to my parts book. Available from MG Cycle and others:
http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=117&products_id=1382 .

This one from McMaster-Carr might be a good substitute: https://www.mcmaster.com/#9262K976 - I haven't tried it yet to see for sure.

[chuck peterson]

Hey, cool, Sophie is back......

Or was that Sophia?

[Joshua]

It'll be either a round cap that uses a 10 mm hex/"allen" bit to remove (with o-ring) or a 27 mm hex (w/crush washer). The o-ring is 2.62 x 20 mm according to my parts book. Available from MG Cycle and others:
http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=117&products_id=1382 .

This one from McMaster-Carr might be a good substitute: https://www.mcmaster.com/#9262K976 - I haven't tried it yet to see for sure.

Thanks again Charlie! Now to find some spare time!

[Joshua]

Hey, cool, Sophie is back......

Or was that Sophia?

Yes, back and Loved ever so much!!!

No preference on my part, Sophie, Sophia, she's a fine Italian lady, that's for sure!

Got her out for a nice fall ride this past weekend!!

[Joshua]

Only the engine is '76 Convert. 

P.S. Charlie the Wirth progressive springs are in and what an improvement, so much less front end dive under braking, but not any rougher over small bumps and road imperfections! Very happy with that upgrade! More stable, I brought the preload up on the back to match the front better and she is much more stable in general riding, even when pushing her just a bit! Went with 6.5 oz 30w fork oil, almost perfect, maybe could have stayed with the stock 5.4 oz. But not enough of an issue to take the front down again, next time i'm in there maybe I'll try the stock volume!

[Tom]

Try different viscosity oil too.

[chuck peterson]

Yes, back and Loved ever so much!!!

No preference on my part, Sophie, Sophia, she's a fine Italian lady, that's for sure!

Got her out for a nice fall ride this past weekend!!

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