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My Sunday project was to put V&H slashed slip-ons back on my bike, and replace the header gaskets while doing this.
I hope someone could help me here. I have a 2013 1200C and I'm replacing the header gaskets. After removing the header pipe I see what looks like the old gasket really pressed into the head. I have two questions?
1. Do I somehow use a tool and scrape out the old gasket? Or just put the new one over the old one. See the photo, it looks really pressed in.
2. I put the new gasket over the header pipe just to see how it fits and to figure out which end of the gasket to put on the pipe vs the head. Well it doesn't easily fit over the header pipe. Do these stretch over the pipe so it's just a matter of forcing the new one on? See the photos. Or do you just put it in place and when the header bolts are fasted they will seat?
I used SE gaskets at the recommendation of my contacts at the dealership. They said it is a lot easier to install than the OEM gaskets. You gaskets look like OEM.
I recently refitted my exhaust. I used a thin screwdriver to remove the old gaskets from the heads, then carefully installed the new ones, same as yours, in the head first, then gently centred the pipe in it before fastening the exhaust nuts. This is one of those jobs that looks a bit daunting at first, but with care is actually a lot easier than it first seems.
I don't recall where, but on HDF recently there was a thread recommending using a little grease on the gasket, to aid installation. I read that shortly after I had finished my install! Next time.....
I had to do this a few weeks ago. I bought Genuine James gaskets when I bought my V&H Big Radius. Big mistake on the gaskets. Dealer says V&H are made for stock gaskets. The worse problem I had, my exhaust nuts kept coming loose, even after I torqued them as much as 15 lbs. Got tired of it and had dealer put in new studs, nuts and stock gaskets. The big kick in the *** was. Dealer said they would've did it all for hundred bucks in the first place if I dropped everything off to them. Have to pat myself on the back for being the first time doing something like this. Never again. LOL
Thanks everyone.
A related question. Will it be easier to assemble the header pipe and slipon together first then mount them both at the same time? Or mount the header pipe first.
The dealer tech said to ride the bike so it gets hot, wait to cool then torque again. The heat shields don't allow easy access to a couple of the bolts.
Thanks everyone.
A related question. Will it be easier to assemble the header pipe and slipon together first then mount them both at the same time? Or mount the header pipe first.
The dealer tech said to ride the bike so it gets hot, wait to cool then torque again. The heat shields don't allow easy access to a couple of the bolts.
what do the instructions say? i just put on a two bros racing exhaust and the instructions said to fully assemble before putting it on the bike. save the heat shields for last; easier access to the bolts.
Instructions said to only remove slipon and slide the new one on the header pipe. They make it sound so easy. It was very difficult for me as I mentioned I wanted to also replace the header flange gaskets. The front I put on together since it slipped on easily. The rear was a bear to get on. Anyway they are on and it sounds great with the new quiet baffles. Still much louder than stock. I'll give it a test run tomorrow.
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Replacing header pipe gaskets
