Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement

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zage
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Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement

Post by zage »

So I did something dumb. Before I installed my Contessa on my 2001 Elite SR, I definitely bent and probably creased the base gasket a little bit. I pressed it flat best I could, and I've been riding on it for about 200 miles. It runs pretty good, but I think that base gasket is leaking based off how it sounds/idles. Looking at replacements, I don't really want to drop $20+ on one from ScooterSwapShop here, and I found some Corsa ones for half the price here, but this is pretty obviously a different shape/porting. My question is, on the Contessa, do I need to order the Polini-specific base gasket, or will a stock gasket work fine? If I do, would there be any downsides to the Corsa one linked above? Cheers!
2001 Honda Elite 50 SR - Polini Contessa, malossi variator, other bits and bobs
1998 MuZ Moskito - basically stock with an exhaust
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bonesv
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Re: Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement

Post by bonesv »

Just buy a new one - they got em for $10 right? :thumbsup:but always check for leaks. Maybe your jetting is just off? Or there’s a leak somewhere else
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Re: Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement

Post by burnt_toast »

buy the one in 2nd link, thats the correct one for contessa or corsa, anyway.

1st one is for big boost taiwan/china kits, dont need it.

oem stock gasket wont fit up quite right, but you can trim it up to match contessa base and use in a pinch, if avail.

agree with bonesv, check for other leaks. i would suspect at exhaust gasket perhaps. take shrouds off and spray soapy water at cyl base on cold startup. will rule out base gasket leak or confirm :thumbwink:

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Re: Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement

Post by zage »

bonesv wrote: Sun Apr 17, 2022 12:22 am Just buy a new one - they got em for $10 right? :thumbsup:but always check for leaks. Maybe your jetting is just off? Or there’s a leak somewhere else
I'm pretty sure my jetting is right, I went up to a 90 for the break-in period and just took it down to an 88 based on the plug, which I think is about right for stock airbox, carb, and exhaust on a kit like this. It doesn't really sound like an exhaust leak, sorta almost sounds like misfiring, but the only other area I suspect a leak is around the reed block and I'm gonna end up replacing that gasket as well to be safe.
2001 Honda Elite 50 SR - Polini Contessa, malossi variator, other bits and bobs
1998 MuZ Moskito - basically stock with an exhaust
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Re: Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement

Post by zage »

burnt_toast wrote: Sun Apr 17, 2022 6:51 am agree with bonesv, check for other leaks. i would suspect at exhaust gasket perhaps. take shrouds off and spray soapy water at cyl base on cold startup. will rule out base gasket leak or confirm :thumbwink:
I'll definitely try this. At the cylinder base though, is there usually a negative or positive pressure gradient? Like if the base gasket IS leaking, would it be sucking unwanted air in or blowing the mixture out? I guess it's just deciding between soapy water or starting fluid :smile:
2001 Honda Elite 50 SR - Polini Contessa, malossi variator, other bits and bobs
1998 MuZ Moskito - basically stock with an exhaust
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Re: Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement

Post by motormike »

zage wrote: Sun Apr 17, 2022 3:11 pm i'll definitely try this. At the cylinder base though, is there usually a negative or positive pressure gradient? Like if the base gasket IS leaking, would it be sucking unwanted air in or blowing the mixture out? I guess it's just deciding between soapy water or starting fluid :smile:
I can't say positively, but common sense tells me it will do both, blow, suck, blow...etc
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Re: Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement

Post by zage »

motormike wrote: Sun Apr 17, 2022 11:36 pm I can't say positively, but common sense tells me it will do both, blow, suck, blow...etc
Sounds like a good time! I’ll check it out next chance I get
2001 Honda Elite 50 SR - Polini Contessa, malossi variator, other bits and bobs
1998 MuZ Moskito - basically stock with an exhaust
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