Like I said, I got a New Derby Cover and everything I see and read says to get a new gasket. There is an "O" ring with the new cover, is there really a need to change or add a gasket?

 

If the new cover has an o-ring and the back side looks just like the stock cover you should be fine. My replacement didn't come with an o-ring so I had to buy a paper gasket. Good luck.

 

On the other hand, do you want to run the (admittedly slight) risk that it'll leak all for want of not changing a gasket?


I won't put anything back together, unless it's a roadside repair, without new O-rings, gaskets, seals, etc... risk/reward just isn't there for me.

 

Most likely no!

The older TC's had an o-ring. It was replaced with a paper gasket on newer models and the gasket had a rubber like material printed on the gasket (essentially a built up o-ring). I've used both in the past and never had a leak. Either way, they are good for multiple uses.

 

One of my bikes has the paper-style gasket and the other has the o-ring style.

I bought a new paper-style gasket one time when I was changing the primary fluid. I decided to reused the old one. I figured if it leaked, it was a quick fix..... changed the primary fluid 2x times now with the same gasket, no leaks. I still have the new one for when it starts to leak.

My other bike uses the o-ring style gasket. If I can get it to stay in the groove, it will reseal. It seems to stretch with heat cycles. I can reuse it maybe once, then it's just a pain to fit into the groove and stay there while I put the cover on. Once I have to fight it, I change it....

 

I had my cover off every 10,000 miles since new. Now over 40,000 miles and never bought a new gasket. No leaks.

 

Thanks for the advise guys, I went ahead a bought the full gasket, this included with the "O" ring equals two now, lol.

 

I would say it is good to keep a spare around just in case, but I still have the original o ring on my derby cover, 28 years so far...