Unable to remove cylinder head cover

[AndersYMH]

Hey all. I just inherited a 1973 xs650 and the lowest gasket needs replaced (Photo reference) but cannot for the life of me remove the top cylinder head. Seems prev owner used some really strong gasket sealant or something. Is there a way to skip removing the cylinder head cover? Or do I need to in order to remove the camshaft and chain to access the lower assembly. The middle part right below the spark plugs is already loose I just cannot loosen the head cover. (Red is what I’m trying to remove. Yellow is already loose, and blue is the gasket I need to reseal/replace)

 

[GLJ]

It needs to come off. You have to either split the cam chain or remove the cam bearings and wiggle the cam out in order to get the engine apart.
Be careful removing the cam cover as you need to use it. It is a matched set with the head.

 

[jetmechmarty]

You have to get it off. The cam chain will hold everything together. It should have been assembled with Yamabond.

 

[GLJ]

Remember patience is your friend. Heat also is when dealing with sealants.
The reason I said they are a matched set is when the engine was built the head and cam cover were bolted together and then the cam bearing lands were aligned bored.

 

[zrx1100]

Take a rubber mallet and gently tap around the perimeter of the sealing surface

 

[AndersYMH]

Take a rubber mallet and gently tap around the perimeter of the sealing surface

I’ve been using a soft plastic mallet and seems to not loosen at all

 

[Jim]

Rotate the crank. The rockers pushing against the valves should pop it loose.

 

[gggGary]

work your way around the seam with a heat gun.

 

[5twins]

I'd apply heat (heat gun) around the seam, then get some wood dowels and pound them upwards against these four spots .....

 

[Jim]

As well as the 8 nuts, there's 4 bolts holding the rocker box on. Those removed? 12,13,14 and 15...

 

[Raymond]

And for completeness when remembering to undo all the bolts, there's the little one holding the head from underneath, #11 on Jim's diagram.