Reusing head gaskets

[JATO]

I was reading through the owner's manual for my GTR and it mentions removing the heads to clean up carbon build-up.  I haven't had my heads off yet but I'd like to know if one could reuse the head gaskets, possibly after annealing them, coating them with copper gasket sealant, or just throwing them back in.  I know the Mr. Clark carries replacement head gaskets but I was just curious.

[Jeff Bar]

Its a bad idea to reuse head gaskets, just does not make sense to tear a engine down for prevention maintenance and put used parts back in it. Jeff Bar

[BS Mechanic]

Just a data point; I used the original head gaskets from new to just over 50k miles.  Probably had the heads off a dozen times, including a crank replacement and new cylinders near the 45K mark.  I think I annealed them once.  Never a leak.  Similar results with 90 and 100cc, although not as many miles. 

I was a poor student at the time, too cheap to buy gaskets.  I got away with lots of things that weren't best practice!

Replacing them never hurts! 

[paul25g]

Agree with BS Mechanic.....annealing works, but if you're not in a pinch, probably best to replace with new.  Hold on to your old ones as a backup.

[schlusselmensch]

In my opinion proper annealing will restore the head gaskets to a useable state. I've done it many times to many bikes of all sorts and never had a cylinder head to barrel leak.

[Jeff Bar]

OK, I will save all my old gaskets for you guys    Jeff Bar

[reed]

Head gaskets.
I always annealed the gaskets even if they are new, but for how little they cost buy a set from Richard and put them on the shelf .
For a rainy day.
Thanks.
Steve.

[OldSwartout]

On my 175 race bike, I reuse the head gaskets many times since the heads seem to have to come off frequently.  I just use a very thin film of copper-coat gasket sealer. Never had one leak...

For a repair on a street bike, I'd put on new ones, though, as long as Richard still has some.