gasket v silicone

[ChrisC]

I put this in general chat because it is not VTR related, I'm restoring a 1950/60 2 stroke motorcycle and have got the engine is in bits, so i would like your thoughts on whether it would be better to buy a gasket set (if i can get one) or will a modern day silicon, if it's "petrol resistant" be better.
cheers chrisc

[Motomvk]

Why not both?

[ChrisC]

Hi motomvk, Because I was let down by an "e bayer" and by a bloke from the owners club...so to keep the job moving i was wondering if i needed a bloody gasket in the first place.

[tony.mon]

Depends where the gasket is, if it fits between parts that have, for example, shafts going through, the end float could be affected by leaving gaskets out.
And you can't replace head gaskets with silicon, although I've done it on a few engines as a cheap way of increasing the compression....

[Wicky]

Make your own paper ones...

https://www.louis.de/en/rund-ums-motorr ... dichtungen

[ChrisC]

Hi Tony, It' for the primary chain and gearbox engine casings ,i have gaskets for the cylinder head, carb to block and yes its a good point about the end float on the gear change shaft coming through the casing never give that a thought....but it is old british bike it will have loads more float than the Titannic ever had...
cheers

[darkember]

Make your own paper ones...

https://www.louis.de/en/rund-ums-motorr ... dichtungen

Spot on for the old bikes paper and cut is best

[sirch345]

I have made my own primary casing gaskets before (many years ago) for both of my Tritons and a Triumph 650 Thunderbird. I used a cereal packet, although using a proper sheet of gasket material would probably be a better option.
What's the engine, a Villers

Chris.

[ChrisC]

Thanks fellas , i will send off for some of that gasket paper ,looks good, years ago i tried thick brown paper or card and Stag....who remembers Stag jointing compound...it was orange and smelt like ...well...my first girlfriend.

[MacV2]

Thanks fellas , i will send off for some of that gasket paper ,looks good, years ago i tried thick brown paper or card and Stag....who remembers Stag jointing compound...it was orange and smelt like ...well...my first girlfriend.

Dont send off for it ! Go to your local motor factors, they will have it in stock...Better to give them the money than helping Amozon or egay not pay thier taxes...

[ChrisC]

Hi Chris , It's a Francis Barnett falcon. it belonged to an old mate of mine, he asked me to take it to the scrap as it in bits and has not run for thirty odd years , he thinks its gone, but I'm restoring it and i am going to give it him back when finished.,


just hope he doesn't scrap it off when i do.

[ChrisC]

Good call Mac V2, Even better ...
Do you know what this forums great, Thank one and all

[sirch345]

Hi Chris , It's a Francis Barnett falcon. it belonged to an old mate of mine, he asked me to take it to the scrap as it in bits and has not run for thirty odd years , he thinks its gone, but I'm restoring it and i am going to give it him back when finished.,


just hope he doesn't scrap it off when i do.

That's brilliant Chris, good man, what a mate you are

Good luck with the work,

Chris.

[ChrisC]

I'll put up a picture when finished. i had pictures of the rusty bits in boxes but my bloody digital camera failed and i lost the lot....gutted...

[bigtwinthing]

buy some "Curil T" its superb and never goes hard etc. I use a gasket too on my bikes but you don't always need a gasket.