2000 Cube 650 Head Gasket

[TheSequoia]

My buddy (I'm doing research for him, I tend to take care of mechanical work with him) just got a 2000 Aprilia Pagaso Cube 650, quite a nice 'lil machine I must say, one problem, he got the bike on Thursday, today (Monday) the head gasket blew. I'm trying to find out if this is a common problem or not, I plan on calling the local Aprilia dealership here to ask the same questions but figured I'd get some independent ideas also.

As stated above it's a 2000 Pagaso Cube 650, it's got 11,000 miles on it, about 75% of which are reportedly highway, according to the person he bought it from. It's been serviced it's whole life from a dealer (Jason has the paperwork) but we don't know the dealership themselves, we have a hunch they cut corners, specifically the corner involving head bold torque.

If you have any information it is greatly appreciated, if not thank you for your time
.
Thanks again,
Geoff

[micah apriliaforum com]

Geoff, I have worked on dozens of Pegasos and I have never seen a blown head gasket...the head bolt torque is crutial as you had surmised. The head gasket should last until the head has to come off for a valve and seat service....not likely at 11,000 miles.

[Jonas]

Blown head gasket is perhaps not that common but I have heard of quite a few cases in Europe. The engine needs to be taken out of the frame to get the head off which makes it a time consuming work. I made it just for fun last winter to tidy up the seats and ports.

[micah apriliaforum com]

No reason not to port if the head has to come off anyway. I'm sure you could pick up a couple of horsepower at the very least and then you would also always have the satisfaction of saying that your bike has a ported head...bragging rights if you will.

[SVRSK]

On my 2000 3 good guys at dealership replaced head gasket while performing valve check up. Apparently they had few "recalls". Another friend of mine had to replace head gasket at 750 mi.
Also, few F650's had same issue.

Argh, just decided to do some last minute riding, all dressed up for cold weather when I found gas leaking from carb(s) all over the engine. Can't locate the source of leak without removing TOO MANY things.
So much for that season-over ride. Very upset.

[Dirt]

Too cold to ride? Move to Australia!

Dirt.

[micah apriliaforum com]

Here in Texas its about 80 degrees today...of course in the summer it will be like 110 degrees with lows in the upper 90's at night...no perfect place I guess. I personally like to live places with seasons.

[nialis]

I am the owner of the above mentioned Aprilia Pegaso, Sure enough it does have a blown head gasket. I bought two new gaskets expecting to need another later on down the road. Aprilia had me send them back as they have a 4th head gasket out for the bike. So far the dealer has had the bike for a month and i have yet to see any progress. Kinda stinks but I guess this isn't out of the ordinary for warranty work, for Aprilia, Honda, or anyone else. I just sucks that I have owned the bike for a month and a half and it's been at the dealer in pieces for a month. Bla bla bla.. I am going to check with the dealer later today and see whats the happs...

Peace

[Nialis]

Thought I would let you guys know, that the head on the Pegaso cube will come out without pulling the motor... Tight fit but it is possible. FYI: The bike IS STILL AT THE DEALER... LOL!!!! Maybe I could set a world record for longest head gasket service ever done on a bike by a qualified dealer!!!! hehehehe!

[Dirt]

Bugger!
My head gasket took the bike shop only one week.

What country are you from? Maybe, somebody could kidnap the bike shop owners dog/cat/gold fish/wife/first born son, and exchange them for your bike in running order!

Just kidding..

Dirt.

[TheSequoia]

Hey, witth the amount of time it's taking to do that bike I don't think that's out of order! At the very least some creative technological torture.

[Nialis]

Ok the bike IS STILL AT THE DEALER! It has been there since the 26th of October... I went in to ask WTF was going on with the bike and they say the Head gasket they finally got was damaged so they need to get another. Does that mean I have to wait another month to see the bike? How hard could it be? I would be willing to pay for having the head gasket shipped overnight if they would just fix it, soon. I am starting to wonder if I pissed off the service guy at Aprilia North America, so he is now making me pay for it... (Just a thought). I have sent packages to places all over the world and they usually take 2 weeks MAX. I just find it hard to swallow the fact they "can't get a gasket", FROM GA. I could leave tonight be in GA on Saturday, pickup the gasket, then be back on Monday in time to get them started on it. At this point I am wondering if my joke about getting the bike by christmas was really a joke.

Anyone out there know if there is anything I could do to get the bike done faster? Or if I can get some compensation? Should I even bother or just see if I make it into the record books for the longest repair running?.

[SVRSK]

I too found that getting Aprilia parts is .... a hassle. I'm certain it is NOT due to shipping/transportation, it looks rather like ...

Aprilias rating is NOT as promised & as planed.
If they wanna us to buy hi tech, hi priced, hi maintenance bikes they better step up.

This next to droping Pegaso import !?!?!?

[Nialis]

Last weekend, I spoke to some of the "higher ups" in the food chain at Aprilia. Seems they too knew nothing about the bike, or the head gasket saga. That is until I told them who I was, they for some reason remember my name, not the bike... Kinda scary, means I made an impression, good or bad I don't know. Anyway, one of Santa's Elves dropped off a head gasket, Next Day Air, and I should be getting the bike back today or tomorrow. HELL YEAH!!! Finally, I am getting the bike back WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO... Can you tell I am happy....

Here is the deal about the head gaskets, They are too thick, that is why they fail. Duhh, The only way to fix the problem is to torque the head down after first heat cycle, then again after 50 miles, then again after 500 miles. The gasket, no matter how it is designed, should be fine. Most of the time the head torque doesn't matter till the first service. But to be safe, especially on a big single like this one, this method should be followed. Anyway thought you all would like to know.

[Nialis]

Also the new head gasket No. is xxx604 not xxx602 Remember to check this when replacing it!

Nialis