[esq'z me]

You can't take the cover off to the front easily....I always remove to the rear, as shown in the manuals. Never said I take it off to the front.

Radiator removal just makes the job easier. The pipe from the thermostat cover gets in the way and also presses the pipe to the coolant reservoir tank against the cover.
It is much easier to get the cover in place and confirm the seal is properly located with full access when the radiator is out of the way. Easier to check valve clearances as well.

 

[Peteroo]

Plus one on thermostat pipe. Makes it a pain. Really its that,its associated tube, and the reservoir over flow tube are main contributers to difficulty.

 

[EBBO]

It's my turn to replace the valve gasket on my B4. Giving Alex a shout. When I recently changed to iridium plugs, number 3 had a bit of oil unlike the others. Seems like the spark plug gaskets and bolt o-rings should also be replaced. It's now 2023. Bike 2008. I hadn't noticed the nasty leak since its behind the headers. At least they are tended to with Stain Magic. Taking note of all mentioned in this thread.

 

[esq'z me]

You should replace all the seals.... I bought a valve cover gasket set once. All the spark plug and bolt seals were included. Let me see if I can find the part number. May still be available and less than individual items.

 

[EBBO]

Thanks @esq'z me Ed, Alex wrote back saying he’ll have to order all from Italy except the main gasket. 2 week out. Yes please let me know if you have the info.

 

[EBBO]

making progress pretty quickly. Radiator, hoses, tank, air box all removed. Cleaned the front of the engine and oil radiator. Leak front and center according to the concentration of oil. TB next but not tonight.

 

[EBBO]

Question: is it possible to remove the valve cover without removing the TB? Looks like it’s possible.

 

[Tony F]

Question: is it possible to remove the valve cover without removing the TB? Looks like it’s possible.

Yes it is, (or it was on my 1000S) just remove the thermostat housing and protect the frame tubes with masking tape as the manual shows as it is quite a tight fit.

 

[esq'z me]

Found the Top End Gasket Set part number....it is 8000A5018 and includes basically every seal, gasket and o-ring for the top end....everything but exhaust gaskets it seems. Found in the "tools" section of the parts catalogs.

8000A5019 is the crankcase gasket set...not sure what it would contain, but imagine similar in completeness to the cylinder set.

 

[silentservice703]

Found the Top End Gasket Set part number....it is 8000A5018 and includes basically every seal, gasket and o-ring for the top end....everything but exhaust gaskets it seems. Found in the "tools" section of the parts catalogs.

8000A5019 is the crankcase gasket set...not sure what it would contain, but imagine similar in completeness to the cylinder set.

Ed, can your guy at the former DucShop get these sets for a 750 F4 Engine?

 

[EBBO]

@esq'z me well I went ahead and ordered everything from Alex. Thanks anyway Ed. I’ll note it as apart of my future parts list. Exhaust gaskets are ordered as well. Turns out the gaskets were there in place. A hooked pick removed them.

 

[EBBO]

Also ordered for the task.
Hylomar M Blue
Hylosil 300 Hi-Temp Silicone RTV
In general, Hylogrip Thread Locker medium
Clean up: Acetone
Attitude aide while waiting: Scotch

 

[esq'z me]

Ed, can your guy at the former DucShop get these sets for a 750 F4 Engine?

The part number I had was from the Brutale 910 catalog.... but it has no cylinder base or head gasket. Just o-rings for thermostat, oil pipes, etc and the valve cover seals (all of them) so it should work for 750 engines as well.
Parts catalogs show no gasket sets for the F4s.