Curvy cam cover seals? - SV650.org

DickP · 29-01-21, 10:59 PM

Hi,

I am going to be checking the valve clearances on my 2000 SV650S. Are the cam cover seals re-useable? Are they once use only? Are they a sealant type and if so which type?

Thanks!

GeorgeRYoung · 30-01-21, 12:01 AM

Last winter I went thru the valve check and reused the seals without problems.

glang · 30-01-21, 08:39 AM

They are reuseable with care as they are rubber and didnt need any sealant for the rebuild. However this does require care when dismantling as the gaskets are quite thin and can stick so are easily damaged when the covers are pulled away....

Craig380 · 30-01-21, 09:17 AM

+1 to the above. When you have the cam cover bolts removed, tap the covers with a rubber mallet or the handle of a hammer to try and free them. Then lift carefully.

For refitting, I found it useful to stick the gasket to the cover with a little bit of grease, especially around the spark plug hole but you shouldn't need sealant apart from a little smear of black silicon sealant under the round parts of the rubber half-moons, so that they seal fully against the head. Not much is needed, just a thin smear.

Dave20046 · 30-01-21, 10:39 AM

I used a little https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hermetite-R.../dp/B0068PMBR6
clear silicon would do the job I imagine and you'd need to take less care avoiding red compound being visible!

I was fitting new ones after managing to smash mine in a crash so was more concerned about the two parts not being simpatico. You probably can ordinarily reuse them but the ones on your bike must be about 20 years old, I imagine the material's lost some of it's malleability .

glang · 30-01-21, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig380

+1 to the above. When you have the cam cover bolts removed, tap the covers with a rubber mallet or the handle of a hammer to try and free them. Then lift carefully.

yes as I started to lift the covers I could see the gasket was stuck on different sides so got a thin screwdriver in to run round the gap releasing it all the way along. Fiddly as you have to hold the cover away about 1/2 inch and carefully maneuver the screwdriver at the same time...

yorkie_chris · 04-02-21, 11:00 AM

Don't think I've ever fitted new ones except if someone was being very picky and wanted them!

Screwdriver in the gap is a bit of a butchers method! Try a plastic bicycle tyre lever or something... or be very careful if using owt metal

29-01-21, 10:59 PM	#1
DickP Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 40	Curvy cam cover seals? Hi, I am going to be checking the valve clearances on my 2000 SV650S. Are the cam cover seals re-useable? Are they once use only? Are they a sealant type and if so which type? Thanks!

30-01-21, 12:01 AM	#2
GeorgeRYoung Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 48	Re: Curvy cam cover seals? Last winter I went thru the valve check and reused the seals without problems. __________________ 65 CB160 (67-69), 69 350GTR (69-72), 72 R5, 73 RD350 (73-84), 82 XZ550 Vision (84-03), 01 Concours C10 (03-19), 89 EX250 (11-14), 00 SV650S (14-16), 03 SV650S (19-)

30-01-21, 08:39 AM	#3
glang Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 537	Re: Curvy cam cover seals? They are reuseable with care as they are rubber and didnt need any sealant for the rebuild. However this does require care when dismantling as the gaskets are quite thin and can stick so are easily damaged when the covers are pulled away....

30-01-21, 09:17 AM	#4
Craig380 Member Mega Poster Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,238	Re: Curvy cam cover seals? +1 to the above. When you have the cam cover bolts removed, tap the covers with a rubber mallet or the handle of a hammer to try and free them. Then lift *carefully*. For refitting, I found it useful to stick the gasket to the cover with a little bit of grease, especially around the spark plug hole but you shouldn't need sealant apart from a little smear of black silicon sealant under the round parts of the rubber half-moons, so that they seal fully against the head. Not much is needed, just a thin smear.

30-01-21, 10:39 AM	#5
Dave20046 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sheffield Posts: 10,274	Re: Curvy cam cover seals? I used a little https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hermetite-R.../dp/B0068PMBR6 clear silicon would do the job I imagine and you'd need to take less care avoiding red compound being visible! I was fitting new ones after managing to smash mine in a crash so was more concerned about the two parts not being simpatico. You probably can ordinarily reuse them but the ones on your bike must be about 20 years old, I imagine the material's lost some of it's malleability . __________________

04-02-21, 11:00 AM	#7
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Curvy cam cover seals? Don't think I've ever fitted new ones except if someone was being very picky and wanted them! Screwdriver in the gap is a bit of a butchers method! Try a plastic bicycle tyre lever or something... or be very careful if using owt metal __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

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