Let's talk about overly expensive gaskets for a second.

The list got tired of getting ripped for $90 cam chains and we spec'd an improved version for $45.  I just priced a side cover gasket and with shipping the side cover gasket would be $20 after shipping.  

I also just looked at an attempt to avoid this fiscal rape that turned out wrong and cost a guy a motor.

How much should a paper gasket cost?

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Let me explain further by use of a Youtube video -- there are folks out there who make a cottage industry of cutting out paper gaskets using this sort of equipment.  You can stack the paper and run the program multiple times until the stack is cut through.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFGcqc-gfiw&feature=related

There are also commerical paper cutting businesses that cut stacks of paper material using water jet and laser cutters as well as digital needle cutters and blade punch presses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlQe8iFRlsM&feature=related

We can create our own design for a cardstock gasket for the side covers that is stronger and better than the weakly structured Suzuki gasket that can only be used about once without tearing.

But ... feasibility -- how much should a cardstock thickness gasket cost?  Let's find out the market value to us as a list then figure out what can be done at that cost.

Hey, we may wind up putting out a .JPEG image that you print and cut out with a pair of scissors if that is the price point that is chosen.

but with this stuff out there, why bother?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_3o1OiLcO4&NR=1

"But ... feasibility -- how much should a cardstock thickness gasket cost?  Let's find out the market value to us as a list then figure out what can be done at that cost."

First, answer the 10 cent question, how much should a side gasket made of card stock or poster board cost?  Then you know how much potential you have to seek a solution at that price.

Somebody says $10 you can have them cut commercially (depending on how many are needed).  Somebody says $5 you are searching for a hobbiest that has one of the machines that wants to make a dollar or two on the side.  Answer depends on what is wanted, or how fancy you want it to be.

$17 ain't no answer though .... that's a stealership bendover with no cigarette offered afterwards.

IIRC, my clutch cover gasket cost me $14.00. I watched them cut it out on their machine. I dont know that thats an unfair price. IDK, cost of the machine & software & maintenance & service life & IDK how much it works in a week, generating income. But, unless its a low buck deal to own & operate, $14.00 seems plenty fair.

Ok, so you are willing to pay $14 for a $17 gasket and are completely accepting of the situation as you are helpless to fix it.  Got that.   Don't like it, but I got it.

No sense of outrage, used to being bent over by stealerships -- accepting.

Meek, mild.

Turn the other cheek.

It's Ok, it's only money.

No, no,,If I can get it on the cheap, thats great, Im just a little bit "business friendly" in that I want the guy I go to to be there when I need him. I also look at costs for him & what does it take for him to sell me that gasket. The costs he has in the equipment, maintenance, service life, production rate, all play a part in the final price to me. Now, IF he is inefficient & IF he isnt competitive, Then hes gonna get cut out of the loop. But, W/O access to any real numbers ( cost of equipment & materials & maintenance) but having seen the stuff work. I think $14.00 is not unreasonable. But maybe the equipment is cheaper than the "Gee whiz wouldya look at that!?" feeling I had when I saw it made me think it is. If the little "Printer" with the traveling stylus costs $200.00 & the software costs $50.00 & a roll of paper costs $20.00, then hes screwing the heck out of us..especially if it doesnt need repairs..OTOH,,that danged machine may have cost him a small fortune, & NOW, new machines may not cost much at all. I just need NUMBERS before I can have an idea about what price is fair.

Justin, the software is free and the machines cost around $300-400 nowadays.  You can buy a roll of postal paper at Walmart.  You can buy a piece of poster paper for under a dollar for a large piece.

Where did you see one of these things in use?

When I did the cam chain. Been a couple of years, at least. I know we were living here & I didnt have a shop out back yet, so at least 2 years ago. The shop I use ( rarely) has a machine & they entered what I had, LS650 & what gasket I wanted & it just started running the paper thru a printer looking doohickey with a stylus. I thot the "Gee Whiz, aint that cool!?" factor was worth the $14.00. No order & wait, just punch it in & print it out.

I cant remember if one side was sticky,,

There is a term for that sort of printing, Bill -- gets you at least 20 years or more.