Problem with Valve Cover gasket

So I just picked up a new to me SMR 510 and I was going to check the valves, but I cannot ge the alve cover off. Reason is, the valve cover gasket is sticking to the cover, and the gasket is sealed onto the motor with hi temp silicone. The side that is sticking is the side with the "eyelets" the side where the gasket is straight is coming off the motor, but still is sticking to the cover. Please help

i peeled my gasket off the cover and left it in place on the head, that way you don't need to fiddle with the half moons behind the water pump, just make sure you locate it back in the groove of the cam cover on reassembly.

paul.

A small dab of RTV(silicone)....might be ok on the half moon edges...but I havent even seen the factory put any there....

Someone must have been overly prudent and put too much on...?

I would clean it all off and start with just a OEM gasket.....used alone it lasts a good long time...

got it off today thanks guys! intake were in spec, but exhaust was at .005, supposed to be .006-.008
Having another problem now though, I put the bike back together and now it wont start. It wont even try to crank over, I push the button and nothing happens at all. I tested the battery and it's good, the blinkers still work. I checked the spark plug boot, and all the battery connections and other connections that I could find, what else could it be?
I have done the following in the past few days to the bike: changed the clutch lever, installed JD jet kit, set race sag, lubed decomp cable, cleaned air filter, checked valves (did not adjust)
Am i missing soemthing? I know it has to be something stupid, I didnt remove the carb from the bike, and all the conections going to it are conected, same witht he battery and starter..

Not sure if your bike is the same but mine has a switch which prevents the starter from running if the clutch isn't pulled. I haven't looked and I can't get to the bike at the moment to check, but if the switch is mounted somewhere on the actual clutch lever rather than at the engine end maybe you've disturbed it while you were changing the clutch lever; perhaps the wires have got disconnected?

hmm I didnt see anythinh when I replaced the lever, but I will pull it back off and take a look. I just disassembled the adjuster mechanism to remove it from the old lever and mounted it onto the new lever. I will also verify that the clutch is disengaging when the lever is pulled

Personally I find the clutch lever interlock annoying. The clutch has to be pulled in even if the bike is in neutral and it makes it too awkward to use the decompression lever in the odd event it is needed. (On the '08 anyway.) All you have to do is disconnect the switch at the connector and short the pins together on the half that goes to the ECU. I found mating pins to make a shorting plug that can be removed in the future but some people just cut the wires and solder or crimp them together.

hmm thanks for the info jlk, but could you go a little slower for the electronically challenged (that would be me)
About to go i the garage and take the clutch lever off to see whats happening

alright, you guys were right, I replaced the lever with another "stock"lever, but it didnt have the little bump on it to hit the button in the perch to allow it to start. So now that I know what it is, how do I go about disabling it? I'm not very good with electrical, so talk me like I'm a 2nd grader please

nevermind I got it fixed, surprised myself with my electrical abilities LOL, Thanks for everyone's help !!!

Glad you got it sorted....its always a good idea to back up a few steps....

I agree...and I question the logic of clutch switches...

IN my view its better for the bike to jump ahead a bit....when you hit the starter....its a safe way of letting you know you left it in gear...

I was reading an interesting story from guy who just bought a SV650....rode his new bike to work and was very proud of it.....one of his workmates asked him if he could take for a spin....his buddy rode it for a bit then parked it back in the same spot.....

at 5pm the owner comes out of work...he pulls in the clutch and fires the bike up....it runs at fast idle....when he waves bye to his buddies....and takes his hand off the clutch....the bike just took right off into a parkade pillar....

Then they had the classic argument of should a bike be left in gear.....or not

my xt600z dosnt have a clutch switch has a neutral one but it became faulty so i by passed it. stopped it in the bush to have lunch threw my leg over with no gear on pressed the starter button with no clutch started first turn over as always only it was in first and there was a tree 3 mtrs in front. BANG THUNK ouchh. i will be intaliing a clutch button (no hot start lever to wory bout and starts as soon as it hits tdc)

my bike has a little green light for neutral

Luxury!

I've got in the habit of rocking the bike to make sure it's in neutral before starting it anyway.