exhaust gasket
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 99
From: P.E.I. Canada
exhaust gasket
So... What is the trick to getting these damn things in? I'm installing OEM decated head pipe and wanted to put some new gaskets in with the install. I've tried the freezer trick and besides making them cold, it really didn't help. Keep in mind that I don't want to have to pull the lower faring off so room to work on the front one is limited. Is there an easy trick to it?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 128
I always have good results with the following method:
After removing the old gasket I take a piece of steel wool or a piece of sandpaper and clean out the exhaust port really good.
Then I put a finger full of grease in the port so things are lubed up well.
I coat the new gasket (I like OEM cone style) with the same grease.
I gently start the gasket into the port with my fingers, then I use a big socket that is the same diameter as the gasket and gently tap it the rest of the way in using a small ball peen hammer. If everything is lubed up well, it goes in easily.
After removing the old gasket I take a piece of steel wool or a piece of sandpaper and clean out the exhaust port really good.
Then I put a finger full of grease in the port so things are lubed up well.
I coat the new gasket (I like OEM cone style) with the same grease.
I gently start the gasket into the port with my fingers, then I use a big socket that is the same diameter as the gasket and gently tap it the rest of the way in using a small ball peen hammer. If everything is lubed up well, it goes in easily.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 345
Likes: 19
From: Indiana
One of those simple things that people have a tendency to over think and make it harder then it really is
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Thanks Retrop, I'll make a note of your method! I greased the rings, but still had a heck of a job to persuade the darned things into place.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 138
From: NE Ohio
I just get it started square and then start working my way around it pushing with my thumb, it's not that difficult.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 138
From: NE Ohio
I never thought folks had problems with them until I read this thread. I saw the tool Jims makes and wondered if they sold many. I've done more than my fair share of them, just never had much of a problem working them in, maybe I've just been lucky.