[lemming]

Pulled the right side cover off to inspect the front sprocket, oil pump gear, etc. gasket on the cover is bunged, does it need one, or would a silicone bead be suitable (or something else)? Don't want to wait a week to get it all back together for operation, but don't want to do something rash or mis-guided, either...

[singhg5]

There is an oil hole in the wall of crankcase which should not be blocked under any circumstances.

In my opinion if the gasket is not too bad, try it and order a new one. 

[lemming]

Thank you, sir! You are a gentleman and a scholar. Shall I interpret that to mean "silicone away, just NOT THERE!" or rather "Dude, hold your horses and wait for the proper part to arrive." ? 

Addit for your edit: Pieces sort of fell off all over when the case cover came off. it's not nearly intact.

[singhg5]

Thank you, sir! You are a gentleman and a scholar.

Shall I interpret that to mean "silicone away, just NOT THERE!" or rather "Dude, hold your horses and wait for the proper part to arrive." ? 

Thank you friend. I had hoped you did not ask this  .......   

There are many dealers in US and some of them would have it in stock, they could send you FEDEX overnight if you don't want to wait one week. It would cost you more.

Coming back to your original question, I have not used silicone bead on that side of crankcase because it is much more riskier there. Let us see what others have done and if they feel safe about it.

[lemming]

That's enough for me, thanks...I will wait. Local dealer didn't have one "because they don't do much engine work on these."   

and nobody changes sprockets in VT, apparently, either, or at least if they do, they only buy parts mail order.

[singhg5]

While the cover is off, you may clean the breather chamber by taking off its plate.

If you don't mind taking a few pictures of inside chamber and post them here - since we don't have those photos on the Forum.

EDIT - It has a separate small gasket. So open gently so that it remains intact.

[lemming]

Hmmm.....okay. I'll give it a go.

[Arizoni]

Just a comment for those who are thinking of using a silicone RTV to seal air/oil joints on an aluminum engine.

There are several silicone based sealants on the market that are compatible with oil.  Things like Permatex Ultra black work nicely.

More importantly, most of these oil resistant  special silicone RTV's will not harm the aluminum surfaces it is applied to. (Read the label to make sure.)

This is not true with most silicone RTV's.

Not only is the common silicone that is used for sealing bathtubs, pipe joints and similar applications not oil resistant but they give off acetic acid during their curing.
Acetic acid will attack the aluminum surfaces and damage them.

You will know if the RTV you've selected gives off this acid by its vinegar like smell.  Simply put, if it smells like vinegar, don't use it on aluminum parts.

[TWinOKC]

When I put my right side engine cover back on I used a new gasket and just a little axle grease to hold it in place while I carefully put the cover back on.

As others have said, be careful not to plug the wrong holes or you will have no oil circulation.

[Ducati Scotty]

Permatex makes a gray one that's just for sealing up moto cases.

[Sectorsteve]

Ive had those covers off many times. I gave up on gaskets but use the gasket glue. Works a treat.

[gizzo]

So there's nothing in there preloaded that relies on the gasket thickness for the proper preload then?

[mattsz]

So there's nothing in there preloaded that relies on the gasket thickness for the proper preload then?

Well, the shaft for the shift lever is held in position with a spacer that thrusts against that cover, but on most bikes there seems to be plenty of play there, too much in some cases.  So it's probably fine.  There's also that all-important little black oil pump outlet o-ring - I would worry more about that one sealing properly, but I haven't heard of any problems.

FWIW, I have seen gaskets for these covers from NFG and from Hitchcocks, and they were different thicknesses; the NFG one being thin paper and H's being a slightly thicker laminated one...

Permatex makes a gray one that's just for sealing up moto cases.

Scotty - Permatex makes so many formulations, named with number codes - is it obvious which one is for moto cases?

[no bs]

you could try Toyota seal packing 103 fipg(form in place gasket) part number 00295-00103. a tad expensive but very good seal.

[Ducati Scotty]

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/product-categories/gasketing/specialty-gasket-maker/permatex-motoseal-1-ultimate-gasket-maker-grey-detail

And don't even think about a "bead" of it.  The thinnest film of it smeared along with you finger is plenty.  An actual bead would just squeeze out all over the damn place, half making a mess on the outside, half ending up mixing up with your oil.  A gasket is better for this side because of that oil galley that you don't want to block, but in a pinch this can do if you apply very little.

Scott