Cyl Head Gaskets

[Curmudgeon]

I have a 1998 Standard with 60000 on her. I can now say she is officially broken in.
I recently spotted an anti-freeze  leak from my right side head gasket. Its very slight but it is there. I'm not shy about replacing the gasket but on the Direct line web site it shows 2 different gaskets with the same number. In the schematics it only shows using one gasket. Here are the 2 gaskets:
   03     GASKET, CYL HD
12251-MN5-004    002    $20.69    $15.93
   03    GASKET (0.75/1.00)
12251-MN5-305    (2)    $69.93    $53.07
As you can see above. The price difference doesn't bother me. I just want to use the correct one the first time.
All assistance is appreciated.

[Ricky-D]

Spending a few minutes Google (ing) it appears the original part for your 1998 bike is

12251-MZ0-760

This is now replaced with new part

12251-MN5-004

The other head gasket you mentioned is called OPTIONAL and it looks to have something to do with thickness and I'd not bother to consider this gasket.

***

[Patrick]

Just to clarify, the right side gasket is the 'high' side when on the stand, in other words, foot/rear brake pedal side..These monsters don't generally have head gasket problems..
A slight coolant leak/seepage sometimes happens which will look like a left head gasket or timing cover leak and usually  turns out to be a slightly loose radiator hose clamp..
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you don't have a head gasket problem, I'd just hate to see you go thru a lot of work if you don't have to..

[R J]

Hey John, pull the valve covers and re-torque the head bolts.

Mine seeped once a long long time ago, re-torqued the head and all has been well ever since.

Glad to see ya'll is alive and still posting.   Take care buddy.

[Curmudgeon]

Hey RJ!
Ya I'm still around and still riding. 
I'll definitely try your fix first, thanks.

How have you been?

[Attic Rat]

John the 12251-MN5-004 head gasket is the one that you want to use. Rickey D is correct the other head gasket is thicker and would lower the compression. If you do have to put head gaskets on don't forget to replace the water pipe o rings they are prone to leak if you mess with them.
I hope this helps to clear that up

[Curmudgeon]

John the 12251-MN5-004 head gasket is the one that you want to use. Rickey D is correct the other head gasket is thicker and would lower the compression. If you do have to put head gaskets on don't forget to replace the water pipe o rings they are prone to leak if you mess with them.

Thanks. I didn't know (or think) about the water pipe O-rings. Great advice.

[Jeff K]

It's not thicker. It has a bigger bore. It is for over bored cylinders from .75mm to 1mm over bore.

12251-MN5-004   Stock bore up to .75mm
   03    GASKET (0.75/1.00)
12251-MN5-305    Bore of .75 to 1 mm

You don't need the 305.

be sure to check your hoses first, they have been known to seep and follow the gasket line around to the bottom.
Though I have had to replace gaskets for people in the past. I was always the right head, and it appeared to be a corrosion issue.

[Brian]

When I had my heads off my 1997 Standard the dealer sold me 12251-MN5-004. Since these only had 900 miles on them when they were replaced due to PO valve issues, I kept the old gaskets in the new gasket package, this number is right off the package. The new ones developed a small oil leak after a couple hundred miles so I went back in and tightened them again to the factory torque. No more issues. I would try this first.