Motorcycle Repair: 1981 XJ750 Yamaha, valve stem seals, combustion chambers

Question
Is there any thing on the market to seal a head gasket that leaks oil?

Answer
Steve, other than a new head gasket? :>)

If you do put in a new one, be sure to use some 3Bond sealant on the oil passageway holes, where the O-rings rest. That will seal the oil from migrating sideways. If you are thinking about putting some kind of stop-leak in the oil... DON'T.

Oil leaks like this are common in 26-year old Japanese machines of all brands. If you are trying to patch the leak from the outside, you have to clean the area of all oil residue, then try some oil-resistant RTV or maybe even some JB weld might function for a temporary fix. The best fix is to do it right and replace the gasket. While you have the head off, you can  de-carbon the pistons and combustion chambers, plus you can check the valve seating and replace the leaking valve stem seals, which are now hard as a rock.

Bill Silver