Found the source of the oil drip on the 1200.

[John Schmidt]

I'll start with @#%&*$%@!!!   OK, now got that off my chest. I finally bit the bullet and pulled the left head and soon as I looked at the gasket it was obvious as to why it was seeping out, more so at high RPM. You can see on the pics where there appears to be little or no contact between the head and block where I added the arrows. A preliminary check with a straight edge looks like both the head and block surface are flat, I'll clean it up more and check again. When you lay the gasket on either surface, it covers the faulty area fine, and if there isn't any warping then I'm at a loss as to why contack isn't made. Although I checked head bolt torque 2-3 times, the adjacent bolt still could have been under torque but doubtful. Assuming everything checks out as flat and true, possibly adding some extra gasket sealer in that surrounding area might help. I got the carbs synced and it runs and idles great, this just kinda takes the wind out of your sails.

[Skinhead]

Could it be possible that that bolt is bottoming out or running out of thread rather than clamping the joint?  With out seeing the parts, I'm just guessing, but it almost looks like an alignment issue.

[IamGCW]

Could it be possible that that bolt is bottoming out or running out of thread rather than clamping the joint?  With out seeing the parts, I'm just guessing, but it almost looks like an alignment issue.

+1 

[R J]

Could it be possible that that bolt is bottoming out or running out of thread rather than clamping the joint?  With out seeing the parts, I'm just guessing, but it almost looks like an alignment issue.

+1 

I'll second that thought.

Also looks like maybe it is a defective gasket.   That is just a guess without having the gasket in my fingers.

[Thunderbolt]

Looks as if either what they said or the head and block are not a match in that area.  Any chance the heads are not correct for the block?  Maybe wrong by a year or two with different options?

[John Schmidt]

Terry, the 1200 heads are interchangeable with the 1000 version. Some guys actually swap them for the late 70's version 1000 for the hotter cam action, but then they have adjustable rocker arms as opposed to hydraulics in the 1200. As for gasket coverage, here's a couple pics showing that it's real good. The seepage was on the left side where it's narrow. I plan to clean up the surface more and check with a straight edge, hold a flashlight on one side and watch on the other side for any light coming through. That would tell me whether it's flat or not. Turn off the lights in the shop and it's easy to spot any stray light. I have two spare cylinder heads for the right side....so guess which side is giving me trouble.   

[Valkahuna]

Looks as if either what they said or the head and block are not a match in that area.  Any chance the heads are not correct for the block?  Maybe wrong by a year or two with different options?

+1.  I'm with Terry on this. It just does not look like a match! 

[John Schmidt]

Pete, see my answer to Terry's post. Heads are interchangeable. The early 1000's will fit the 1200. If I can't determine the flatness(is taht a word?) for certain, I'll use and old method used many more years ago than I care to remember...or admit to.  Pick up a fairly thick piece of glass, maybe larg enough to glue about 4-5 sheets of medium sandpaper on. Put the surface of the head on the sandpaper and slide it back and forth for about 1/2 hour or so(as needed). It's a poor man's milling machine that takes the place of a commercial unit. Worked on old flathead Mercs and Fords, even and old '48 Dodge with a flat head six. Learned about it from my uncle when I was maybe 12 yrs. old. Really works for a warped head, one on a 100 horse V8 from the '30's was really bad and I didn't have any money. So I grabbed a coffee table from the house and laid the glass on it. That's when I learned it sometimes is easier to ask forgiveness than get permission ahead of time. Mom definitely was not a happy camper. 

[Valkahuna]

Some of those timeless "home remedies" can't be replaced. in my job field, sometimes when there is not a long precision straight edge available (needed to span to span tie bars) that is required to level the machine, it turns out that four foot neon light bulbs are incredibly straight and true, and a lot cheaper than a precision four foot straight edge.

I did read the answer you wrote to Terry about the heads being interchangeable, but either way, unless there is something either in the gasket or either the surface of the heads or the block that prevents the two components to meet flat and parallel (any pipe plugs etc on either surface?), then something is just weird looking to have that much of a mismatch thickness wise.

[OnaWingandaPrayer]

John , are you using genuine Mother Honda gaskets ?  Over on at least one of the Goldwing forums I visit ,there is a known internet comapany that sells many Goldwing parts that folks have a lot of problems with. The name of this company is something about a large knife /cycle.
 Also if it turns out your head is bad  ,give a close look at the casting numbers . I believe the head itself is the same left or right . Only the cam and end caps are side specific .

[John Schmidt]

John , are you using genuine Mother Honda gaskets ?  Over on at least one of the Goldwing forums I visit ,there is a known internet comapany that sells many Goldwing parts that folks have a lot of problems with. The name of this company is something about a large knife /cycle.
 Also if it turns out your head is bad  ,give a close look at the casting numbers . I believe the head itself is the same left or right . Only the cam and end caps are side specific .

Yes, all the gaskets and o-rings I used are Honda items. I haven't had a chance to clean up the head yet, played "pasture pool" today(golf). I have two spare right side heads which I can switch fairly easy, just more work. After a good cleaning I'll check the surface again to see if there's any warpage.

I know the company you're talking about; Saber Cycle.  I've not dealt with them in at least 25 yrs., don't plan to either.