Author Topic: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED  (Read 6696 times)

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Offline JRRacing

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WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
« on: September 05, 2017, 04:20:47 AM »
Stock motor if that matters

Offline sandblaster

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Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2017, 10:04:10 AM »
It all depends on what your trying to do with it...
Here is food for thought..

The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Offline JRRacing

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Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2017, 03:05:45 AM »
Link broken ?

Offline Larry Wiechman

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Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2017, 05:46:57 AM »

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

Offline sandblaster

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Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2017, 06:21:46 AM »
+ 1  8-)
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Offline Hawkeye58

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Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
« Reply #5 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?

Offline mazderati

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Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2018, 04:03:36 AM »
Bump.




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.
« Last Edit: May 08, 2018, 04:07:55 AM by mazderati »

Offline Green Flash

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Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
« Reply #7 on: May 23, 2018, 07:50:59 AM »
I went with the thickest oem available.

Offline sandblaster

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Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
« Reply #8 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.
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Offline mazderati

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Re: WHAT HEAD GASKET TO USE ? 2 OPTIONS LISTED
« Reply #9 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.