Agreed. Have had mine off several times without trouble.
Exhaust Gaskets
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 125
From: Japan
Exhaust Gaskets
Anybody use these?
They are made by Cosmetic, which is supposed to be a pretty good gasket. Any other alternatives to stock or SE that anyone can recommend? Stock and SE gaskets cost over $20 (a piece!!!) from dealers here in Japan and getting genuine H-D parts thru any dealer in the U.S. has become a pain, so now I'm looking for alternatives. I can get the Kuryakyn gaskets for $8.70 a pair. Thinking of getting about 5 sets, since I need to pull my pipes to reinstall the the stock system every couple years for inspection. Thoughts? Suggestions?
They are made by Cosmetic, which is supposed to be a pretty good gasket. Any other alternatives to stock or SE that anyone can recommend? Stock and SE gaskets cost over $20 (a piece!!!) from dealers here in Japan and getting genuine H-D parts thru any dealer in the U.S. has become a pain, so now I'm looking for alternatives. I can get the Kuryakyn gaskets for $8.70 a pair. Thinking of getting about 5 sets, since I need to pull my pipes to reinstall the the stock system every couple years for inspection. Thoughts? Suggestions?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Anybody use these?
They are made by Cosmetic, which is supposed to be a pretty good gasket. Any other alternatives to stock or SE that anyone can recommend? Stock and SE gaskets cost over $20 (a piece!!!) from dealers here in Japan and getting genuine H-D parts thru any dealer in the U.S. has become a pain, so now I'm looking for alternatives. I can get the Kuryakyn gaskets for $8.70 a pair. Thinking of getting about 5 sets, since I need to pull my pipes to reinstall the the stock system every couple years for inspection. Thoughts? Suggestions?
They are made by Cosmetic, which is supposed to be a pretty good gasket. Any other alternatives to stock or SE that anyone can recommend? Stock and SE gaskets cost over $20 (a piece!!!) from dealers here in Japan and getting genuine H-D parts thru any dealer in the U.S. has become a pain, so now I'm looking for alternatives. I can get the Kuryakyn gaskets for $8.70 a pair. Thinking of getting about 5 sets, since I need to pull my pipes to reinstall the the stock system every couple years for inspection. Thoughts? Suggestions?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,395
Likes: 266
From: Southern California
Unless they get really buggered up or you can see . . . or depending on the exhaust system "hear" . . . . clear evidence of a leak, I'd just leave the gaskets alone. Even "IF" I had an issue . . . a bit of High Temp Silicone Sealant will do the trick as well. We used to use it on my race car headers; and the stuff is pretty much indestructible, as long as the gasket is even halfway there.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 125
From: Japan
I've already pulled and reinstalled my exhaust system 4 times with the stock gaskets and they are pretty much toast. Think I may have compromised a header bolt with how tight I had to torque the nuts to get a good seal last time. Given how little they cost (in the U.S.), there is no harm in replacing them, is there? I need to pull the exhaust again here soon, when I install the jockey shifter, and I'm thinking it would probably be a good idea to replace the gaskets then...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
I've already pulled and reinstalled my exhaust system 4 times with the stock gaskets and they are pretty much toast. Think I may have compromised a header bolt with how tight I had to torque the nuts to get a good seal last time. Given how little they cost (in the U.S.), there is no harm in replacing them, is there? I need to pull the exhaust again here soon, when I install the jockey shifter, and I'm thinking it would probably be a good idea to replace the gaskets then...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,266
From: west Michigan
I'm using Cometic exhaust header gaskets on my Road King. They're small rigid metal gaskets and require the head pipes to be mounted and torqued correctly in order to seal. The exhaust gaskets came with the Cometic top end kit and I have no complaints about them. I DID follow the exhaust system procedure as described in my HD service manual.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 591
Likes: 23
From: Statesboro, GA
Used Cometic on every bike I've changed the exhaust on. Never had an issue.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 3
From: West New york, NJ
I used the hard copper ones. You just have to torque them properly like the Cometic mentioned above. I retorqued them after a few rides. No problems. The soft ones actually squish into the exhaust area and can create some obstruction. May not make a difference on a stock bike, but could start robbing power as you modify.
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