CX500 GL500 650 Global

Thinking out loud again....

Any thoughts on using home made cork gaskets in place of Intake O-rings? Not that I'm anti o-ring, I was just curious since some members make a lot of their own gaskets. Thinking maybe gluing them to intake tube with high tack so they will (hopefully) stay put when intake tubes are removed - maybe even reusable if gentle.

Thanks

My first response is no! Then as I start to think about it, maybe. The only down side is that as time goes by and all the heat and cooling cycles go by, shrinkage will set in and split the material causing vacuum leaks. There might be a gasket material that would hold up to this better than cork.
If you are having issues with the manifolds leaking air, have you ensured the flanges are not warped with all the years of service they have been through? The ends of the manifold where the bolts go through tend to bend down and leave the main surface where the O-Ring sits, to be pulled away and not seal as well.
One thing I do to ensure the manifold flanges are straight and level is to sand them down with 220 grit sand paper glued to a sheet of glass. Place the manifold surface on the flat sand paper and rotate in circular motions while holding it flat to the sand paper. Do this until the entire surface is flat and smooth. When you reinstall them, don't over tighten them! This is what causes them to warp and cause vacuum leaks.

No, I don't think they're leaking, I was just looking for opinions, the gasket idea popped into my head since I'm waiting for the O-rings from the dealer.

Excellent advice nonetheless! I'll do this tomorrow. THANKS!