Exhaust gaskets

[Buda]

Took the exhaust off a while back..took a gasket out of each exhaust port at that time.  Today doing the desmog and noticed that there was still a gasket in each one....all 6 were double gasketed....anybody else ran across this?  I've had the bike about a year now and thought there was an exhaust leak (makes sense now) tic tic tic.

[ricoman]

Very often when the headers are removed the gaskets do not fall out. (actually have never heard of them falling out, they're usually a pain to dig out)
The unknowing wrencher will put a new one in when reinstalling the headers, thus 2.
Only need one for sure.
Have seen this happen before.

[YoungPUP]

Have to thank MarkT for this info. I had problems removing my gaskets back in the spring when changing the exhaust. Contacted Mark for any tricks, sugggestions.  Skip the dental picks etc. Find a small screwdriver, and file it to a SHARP edge. Tap gently under the edge of the gasket from the inside edge of the gasket.  With that info, the hardest part was picking which screwdriver to file down...

[Chrome]

Hey Pup Did the same thing but with my oil filter. Did an oil change and noticed a gasket on the block and also found one on the old filter. Lucky the bike didn't turn Harley on me and leak.
Adrian

[YoungPUP]

NO suprise there. Did an oil change for a friend in H.S. and found 4  yes 4  gaskets on the motor, not including the one on the filter.  To this day I still dont know how that didn't leak.

[John Schmidt]

I know it's too late with this suggestion, but you don't need to remove the exhaust to do a desmog. I realize it was to access the piece that goes underneath the heads, but there's an easier method of blocking that off. Get some JB Weld, then cut off that tube up top near where they are bolted down near the front of the head. I usually stick a bit of paper towel in the tube to keep the JB Weld from running down inside, then fill it with the Weld. Let it set up, then add another layer. If you use the "quick set" version of JB, it's ready to roll by the time you're all done and the bike is back together. Done it that way many times, easier and much faster process...and permanent.

[YoungPUP]

Ball end allen wrenches work great for reaching in under the exhaust for removing the tubes as well...

[Buda]

Took the exhaust off for other reasons.....thanks for the Advise tho