i wanted mine to be a bit different. i hated the whole stereotypical senior pic look, standing by a tree or something and they photoshop soften it a bunch.
i'm not sure what type of thermo is there, but you don't need to lay any gasket typically. you just simply replace the thermostat, it has an o-ring built in around the edge. don't hold me to this though, i haven't seen a yamaha one.