I just installed Vance & Hines Big Shots Staggered pipes on a ´01 Low Rider.

Is it okay to install them completely without gaskets? I spent hours trying to fit the pipes with proper gaskets but the pipes simply wouldn't fit.

There are no visible or audible leaks but you can feel slight vibration (could be just heat also) on your fingertips near the flange/header area.
Is this a biggie?

 

did you get the old gaskets out?

Bob
1997 Heritage

 

Yeah.

 

If you got the old one out, there is almost no way you won't have an exhaust leak...I would pick up a set of the Screaming Eagle gaskets if you can't figure out the conical ones. If you can get them in Finland...

 

You need gaskets!

 

I found the V&H exhausts work better with the non-tapered gaskets rather than the tapered ones - which ones were you trying to use.
And yes, you need gaskets....
Try these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXHAUST-GASK...9e0958&vxp=mtr

 

They were tapered, the pipes still wouldn't fit.
I have no idea why, I bought the correct pipes for the bike and everything. The gaskets I got from a local Harley dealer in Finland.

I'm just asking because a lot of people in Finland told me it's okay to leave the gaskets out and you can just put some kind of exhaust paste in there to seal any gaps.
Sounds like a half-assed way to do it, but then again I once had a Trans Am that came from the factory with no exhaust header gaskets.

 

I don't know why aftermarket headers do not come with ends that actually fit into the conical gaskets like the oem head pipes do, but they don't. They fit AGAINST the gasket and not into the head. V&H are not the only ones that are that way. I think it's BS but manufactures swear they get a good seal, but yeah, I'm sure you are going to want gaskets.


The last head pipe I installed it didn't feel like it went "in" to anything, just up against the head and the conical gasket. I won't have a good feeling about it 'till either spring when I can get some rpm on it or when my dyno tuner calls and says I have a leak.

 

My 1976 XL doesn't use exhaust gaskets. I use the orange Form-a Gasket silicon sealant. The orange one is for extremely high temperatures. It works like a charm.

 

You may want to take the bike to the dealer and let them do it. Either you ordered the wrong pipes (most would still fit at the jugs) or this project is above your skill level. You don't want exhaust leaks at the heads. Not good for the motor...