Need some new exhaust gaskets

[shortleg]

    I need some new exhaust gaskets
Removed my pipes for coating and need
to replace them.
   Are there better ones than the stock brass ones?
Maybe ones that stay in while you mount pipes.
         Shortleg[Dave]

[98valk]

search is your friend.
this was asked last wk and many other times and info was posted.

[Ricky-D]

That's the best suggestion, from CA!

However I've some other type of green fiber gaskets that I have waiting in the wings.

Still have a few Honda stock one's too.

I don't think they are any kind of reusable, but with this exception:
If the headers are removed without disturbing the gaskets (in any way)I feel you can replace the header without having to replace the gaskets this particular time.
Disturb the gaskets, all bets are off.

***

[shortleg]

  Well that is what I just did and this is what I came up with.
http://www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=1597
           Shortleg[Dave]

[mirion]

Making them stay in as you assemble the pipes works great if you "egg" them just little so they go in a little tight on the ends of the egg. Just a little bit tho, sneak up on it.

[CASABROKER]

The fiber ones suck use the copper ones.  I got mine from the dealer for $2.10

[98valk]

The fiber ones suck use the copper ones.  I got mine from the dealer for $2.10

Why?
They are the ones viking recommended with their pipes.

[aslondon]

Fiber ones from Z1 were perfect.  They go in a little on the tight side and you have to retighten them 3 or 4 times initially.

VRCC 4321

[Thunderbolt]

if you change pipes, you need new ones to comform to whatever deformities are on the pipes where they mate up.

[GOOSE]

shortleg.....why don't you just use the nstock gaskets......they are the best one's anyway?

[Attic Rat]

If you will put grease on the copper exhaust gaskets before you install them they will stay in the head while you put the exhaust up and not fall out. I have tried this many times and it works just like the book says it will.

[fudgie]

The green fiber ones are what I use. I notice I dont have to retourque them as much as I did with the oem copper ones.

[R J]

Green fiber ones here with my Viking pipes.     Been on the bike for about 6 or 7 years now, 4377, they might be older than that.   

[Kaiser]

Sorry for the ignorant question - but do you HAVE to replace the gaskets any time you remove your pipes?  Even if the same pipes are going back on?

Your patience and kind response is appreciated.

[98valk]

Sorry for the ignorant question - but do you HAVE to replace the gaskets any time you remove your pipes?  Even if the same pipes are going back on?

Your patience and kind response is appreciated.

not an ignorant question,
the technical manual says yes. However, I have reused them about three times same pipes. I use the, "if they leak then replace principle".

[Chillerman]

I purchased the green fiber ones from Z1 and have had no problems.  They also sell them on EvilBay for cheap.  You can get 6 OEM from HDL for less than 15 bucks http://www.hondadirectlineofshadyside.com/stores/byProduct.asp?prd=Exhaust&str=2&ID=828918437

[hubcapsc]

Sorry for the ignorant question - but do you HAVE to replace the gaskets any time you remove your pipes?  Even if the same pipes are going back on?

Your patience and kind response is appreciated.

not an ignorant question,
the technical manual says yes. However, I have reused them about three times same pipes. I use the, "if they leak then replace principle".

I used the "if they leak then take the pipes back off again" method only once 

-Mike

[stude31]

If you will put grease on the copper exhaust gaskets before you install them they will stay in the head while you put the exhaust up and not fall out. I have tried this many times and it works just like the book says it will.

+1      I do the same thing and works like a charm!

[Ricky-D]

Kaiser:

All you need to do is look at a used copper gasket and you will see: it is not reusable.

If however, they do not fall out when you remove the pipes it will be Ok,  to simply reinstall the pipes.

Now, if one may fall out, you should replace the one that falls out. No need to replace all three on that side!

***

[Kaiser]

Since I'm on a roll with basic questions - allow me to ask another.

When I took off my pipes, I did not notice any gaskets for a single exhaust port.  It appears as though my gasket is connected across all three header pipes.

I suppose it is possible that all three gaskets stayed with the bike and did not come off on the pipe - but I seriously doubt I am that lucky.

I'm just asking because my "gasket" looks nothing like the ones for sale on the z1 site or HDL.  As a matter of fact, I cannot even find my "gasket" on the HDL parts fiche.

So - is this one-piece-across-all-three-pipes-thingy my "exhaust gasket", or am I just confusing it with something else?

[hubcapsc]

Since I'm on a roll with basic questions - allow me to ask another.

When I took off my pipes, I did not notice any gaskets for a single exhaust port.  It appears as though my gasket is connected across all three header pipes.

I suppose it is possible that all three gaskets stayed with the bike and did not come off on the pipe - but I seriously doubt I am that lucky.

I'm just asking because my "gasket" looks nothing like the ones for sale on the z1 site or HDL.  As a matter of fact, I cannot even find my "gasket" on the HDL parts fiche.

So - is this one-piece-across-all-three-pipes-thingy my "exhaust gasket", or am I just confusing it with something else?

Do you see the one-piece-across-all-three-pipes-thingy in this picture? It's not the gasket...



The first time I took my pipes off, I found my OEM gaskets mashed up in here so flat that at first I didn't think they were there. After I realized what was going
on I encouraged them out with a screwdriver and put new Honda ones in. You can see the dab of high-temp silicone I put up there to keep the gaskets in
during installation... others use grease, or or squeeze them a bit out-of-round...



-Mike

[Kaiser]

What brand pipes and we need a pic.

Brand - I couldn't tell ya.  I've only had the bike about a year, and still have way too much to learn about these Valks to answer that question.

Can you tell what kind of pipes they are from these pics?  If not, I'll see what I can do about getting some better ones this weekend.

[Kaiser]

Mike,

Imagine an almost identical piece across the top-side of the pipe.  It is sandwiched between what is in your first picture and the bottom of the engine.

ARG!  I can just tell that words are not being helpful right now.  Guess I'll have to try to get a pic this weekend.

[hubcapsc]

Mike,

Imagine an almost identical piece across the top-side of the pipe.  It is sandwiched between what is in your first picture and the bottom of the engine.

ARG!  I can just tell that words are not being helpful right now.  Guess I'll have to try to get a pic this weekend.

You have OEM pipes, and it sounds like you are describing a gasket, though it is unlike any I've heard of.

The OEM gaskets are really hollow copper rings that crush down when you tighten the header bolts, they're not connected.

The other kind of gasket I know of looks like this...



-Mike

[Kaiser]

Without my bike and camera, pics of my exact setup are not possible.  But, Google might be of some service here.

Mine look like these, but obviously in the shape/size for the Valk:



Again - words don't do justice.  But, in an ongoing effort to explain...

There is a little "lip" on each hole that goes up into the bottom of the engine.  (Don't know if this helps or not).  Could it be for a GW?

[hubcapsc]

Could it be for a GW?

At least some 1500 goldwings use the same gasket/part-number as the Valkyrie...
I tried to use that to my advantage one time when I was looking in some local shops for some
exhaust gaskets... "well, then, you got any for a gold wing?"

Your gaskets seem pretty cool from the description, I hope we find out where they came from...

-Mike

[Kaiser]

Wow...this is really embarrassing. 

Normally I would not expose my idiocy and just keep quite so that nobody is the wiser that I do not know what I am talking about.  However, in this case, hopefully someone else on this board can benefit from me being a dumb a$$.

I've got the same setup as everybody else.  The part that I was thinking about is exactly what Mike posted earlier (in the picture of his pipes with them pointed down).

Guess that's what I get for putting my exhaust back on at 2:00 AM and then posting about it from memory. 

The good news is that now I do not have to ask what a leaking gasket sounds like.

Sorry to waste everybody's time.  I'll go back to lurking the shadows and reading more than I write.

[Baloo]

Kaiser,

Some wise man once said that there is no such a thing as a dumb or stupid question. There is only dumb or stupid answers... 
I certainly don't know everything there is to know about my Valk, but I'm learning, and this is with the help of the great folks around here. So you should continue to ask questions. This is the best way to get to know you Valk.

As for the noise of a leaky exhaust gasket, it usually sounds like a tick tick tick, and will follow the engine rpm, till the engine sounds lounder and then you can't hear it no more. Easier to hear at idle.