Did you anneal the gasket first? The gasket will be very soft when done.
Heat up to cherry red with a gas torch or I've heard of it being done on a gas stove. Let cool.
Then I usually use Hylomar gasket spray both sides. Looks like blue contact adhesive.
It will probably never seal unless annealed.
It was one of my new gasket that he used and so it would not need to be annealed, as it is made of C106 soft copper sheet, I think that he may have something else wrong here either the bolts bottoming or the head distorted.
Hi Gents, thankyou for all your excellent help and advice. I have now taken the head off again and really cleaned the surfaces, fitted Johns gasket, and followed all the procedures of tightning bolts down etc..(did have one that bottomed out, placed a steel washer on the bolt)..think i have won...yippee
So thanks again all that responed.
excellent forum you have here.
bike will be back on the road after a 10 year rest.
All the best everyone
tony