How to know if copper head gasket worn out?

Dark areas are the Pliobond adhesive I used to seal the gasket. Actually, it sealed quite well, and wasn't leaking. I mostly posted it because it makes such a good picture. It came off my 920 when I tore it down after Bonneville this year. It survived several attempts at Bonneville in the past, and the most recent one where I ran with nitrous. I'm really only replacing it because I've reused it a couple times already, and the groove from the o-ring around the cylinders is pretty deep now. It would probably still work again, but for the cost of a gasket, why take the chance.

Ken

Ugh, Ken, you of all people was the last one I'd expect to help drive me crazier on my Norton ways, implying I'm a cheapo-dumbo for re-using copper gasket on a mildly run factory Combat - after you've re-used your cheap gasket a handful of times in maxed out super fueled engine for land speed record attempts, sheeze. I do take heart that yours stayed sealed with such combustion violence though I ain't teasing about strap/cabling Peel's head down on cylinder to the cradle like the insane garden tractor pull guys, who learned the hard way not to use Aluminum blocks.

With a split scramble egg brain I'm taking two paths with my Commandos, one avoiding everything original Norton in Peel but trying to stick with Norton only part numbers on Trixie and not leak just tooling around.

I'm using a flame ring type in my 750 and it's working just great. Got about 600 miles since rebuild and not a drop of oil is leaking out of the head. I'm pleased.

I always had good luck with the original flame ring gaskets on my 750 race bikes back in the '70s. I'd use them in a flash on a street bike, if I could get the same quality as the originals. From various comments on the forum in the last few years, it sounds like there might be some issues with less reliable replacements now.

Ken

Pliobond worked for me for years. Now you have proved how good it is.
Dereck

Ron Wood recommended Pliobond to me years ago for sealing copper head gaskets on Rotax single powered road racers, and I've used it ever since. Good stuff.

Ken

lcrken said:

Ron Wood recommended Pliobond to me years ago for sealing copper head gaskets on Rotax single powered road racers, and I've used it ever since. Good stuff.

Ken

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Water-cooled?