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I took the KIPS apart and used carb cleaner to clean things up on the cylinder. I think maybe the cleaner did something to the seals because they are wrinkled now. Maybe they will dry and go back to normal? Tell me if I messed up!

Also, the rods have a slot on one end. Which way do the slots point? towards the front or rear?

HELP!

Slots front, groove left looking at the exhaust. You will notice one has a groove in it. Seals or gaskets?

OK slots go towards the front. What do you mean by groove left looking at exhaust? I go by right or left as I am sitting on the bike. Example: Shift lever is on left side, rear brake on right side. What about the carb cleaner I used on the rubber seals? Is that ok or is it not the way to do it?

I go by how you put them in.... What kind of carb cleaner eats seals?

So the slotted ends point toward the front wheel?

The carb cleaner is Cyclo professional strength. It has acetone, toluene, xylene and methanol in it. The seal on the right side is the one that looks a little wrinkled where it contacts the main shaft. It doesn't seem to have affected the left seal.

Yes and...

Yes...the professional strength stuff you buy in large quantity and not in a spray can will destroy seals if you let is soak in it. There should have been some warning on the label to this effect. The cleaner is for metal parts only.

Do you have a manual?

This stuff comes in a large aerosol can. When I bought it I didn't realize it was professional strength. I don't want to wait another week or so for seals, so I'll put it together and hope for the best.

I have a service manual, but it doesn't show the rod ends clearly.

Thanks for the info

I hope all turns out right!

Thanks, I'll let you know if the seal leaks

You straight on the subport drum/rod install? Ask further if not?

Inda's R/L is backwards from the (normal! ) 'how you sit on it' reference.

Yeah but CC... when your puttin' 'em in...do you stand over the cylinder like your riding the bike? I don't...

Cripes! No wonder it's so hard to see how the darn thing goes together!!

The istallation of the KIPS was pretty simple. I just followed the directions in the manual. A flashlight was necessary to see into the sub valve hole in order to line up the center of the 2 notched teeth with the groove on the end of the rod.

Question: Do you guys use a gasket spray on the top end gaskets? If so, on the head gasket too?

Question: Inda, do you need mirrors to see where you're going?

Usually when I'm working on the bike... I'm not riding it. Usually!

I spray copper coat on the head gasket.

Inda, That reminds me of an ISDE rider I met who could "change a tire in 3 minutes" and "change a head gasket while riding the bike."

CM, Thanks for the tip. How thick is that stuff?

re: head gasket

I've done it both ways..Permatex Copper Coat (spray) and no sealer at all.

Not to say that one way is absolutely better than the other, but the fact of the matter is this: The only time I've had a problem with a head gasket is when I've used a spray. Obviously, that experience does not constitute any survey/poll based on 20,000,000 riders and 40,000,000 bikes...but it is a fact.

On paper/fiber gaskets that will see any 'use' at all (meaning I may want to try to save it through multiple disassemblies..like the clutch cover gasket) I put on a thin coat of some kind'a silicone gasket maker/RTV stuff. It seals fine and usually will allow the gasket to come off in one piece without tearing/shredding.

But then..my life is tougher, so you may want to avoid any such thing.

re: how thick

It's not. It will easily run if you try to spray it on 'thick'. It's not an adhesive in the sense of the word most would think, closer to copper paint...and lacquer thin at that. It's not glue-like. Do follow the directions on the can. It does need to dry to some extent before the gasket is used.

Copper coat seems a lot like paint. It's real thin. I haven't got a lot of experience with it, just started using it. On all my old bikes (air-cooled) I never put anything on the head gasket. I did use a very light film of RTV on the base gasket.

Thanks CM + CC, I think I'll put the head gasket on nekkid and use something on the base gasket.

jackpiner57 wrote:I think I'll put the head gasket on nekkid...

Sounds a little kinky, even for me!