As I get older I'm finding it necessary to make it easier to start and ride these bikes. I installed a .125" thick head gasket in my '71 RT1B based on forum member SHYTED recommendation. Cleaned it with Brakleen, sprayed Copper-Coat on both sides, assembled it. Torqued the head bolts. Rode it for 10 miles, let it cool down and retorqued the head bolts. It is easier for me to kick with the reduced compression. It has a very slight reduction in power only noticeable when going up a long steep hill. I plan to install it in 2 of my RT3s.

coppergaskets.us/

 





 

Wow, you have a stack of them there. are you selling some. Interesting info once again thanks.

I bought enough to do all of my regular riders plus the 5 NOS cylinders I have. I plan to get another 50 years out of these bikes.

The gaskets are available and are reasonably priced.

They are also pretty.

 
 

If i owned a 360 this would be the 1st thing i would buy for it. Although i can't remember the last time being kicked back from any that i did own. I always gave it a good swift kick and followed thru all the way down with the lever. 

I installed this because it takes less strength to kick it.

Did I mention that the older I get the better I was?
 

Yep! that's why i moved down to the 250 club. Lol!

They work a treat and are $17 a pop .
Regarding kick backs.
I have a CT3 . It's a while since i started it up but i recently did so.
I had my work boots on.
Right at the end of the kick stroke it popped back . The kick start shot straight from under my foot.
One month later , i still have a nasty painful thickening of the muscle below the inside of my knee.
I already have a scar there from a previous encounter with a BSA Bantam which resulted in 30 stitches and a limp for a couple of years . I was 14 years old then.
My 360 is a piece of cake to start now.

Really the decomp if working right should soften the kick more than a thick head gasket would. But if it makes for a softer motor when running then must be good. I worry about the squish not being--'squished so to speak'. Those motors seem to want to detonate at the slightest provocation. But if she's good then we're all learning & that's a good thing.

cool gaskets
does the RT1 have a compression release like the ones on my DT360 or 400?
these seem to really work well when adjusted properly, I know they make a big difference because I have tested the kick with cable slacked out