Performance mod overlooked....exhaust gasket!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
But mostly not installed correctly. These crush gaskets are proven to work and work well. But you have to install them uniformly in the exhaust outlet and torque to spec, then check torque after a ride or two. If you don't get them smoothly inserted in place all the way around, then the seal will not be uniform either. What little deformation I saw in your photo seems insignificant. I don't even know how you got them out without screwing them up where you grab them with a hook or whatever. (I use a hook) But hey, I'm no mechanic.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 783
Likes: 66
From: Sacramento
Check out the RB Racing site. They use billet gaskets due to the same problem. Even when torqued to spec, depending on the angle of the exhaust (as in if the pipe isn't perfectly square with the port, which can happen quite easily) one side of the crush gasket can intrude on the port. When this happens, even slightly, it can and will impact port flow. This is why porting is so effective. It removes those imperfection from casting, reshapes slightly and optimizes flow. It stands to reason you would want the same continuity from port to exhaust.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,392
Likes: 184
From: Big ol Titties
His sig says V&H true duals.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
Wow, a dude post up some information on a potentially better product, James Gaskets are top shelf stuff, and you guys hammer him for not reading the manual or using the proper torque values and procedures by Harley Davidson. Looks to me like his motor is anythig but H-D. Perhaps the "b" heads have larger ports and the proper H-D exhaust gasket just will not work because it is too small ?? Hey Ironjunkie thank you for the info, if I ever get lucky enough to build me a bad azz motor like yours I will sure remember the James Gaskets.Bet that bike hauls !
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Newnan, GA
bigheadted - I am with you! Damn, these guys are tough! I did use the James gaskets as the OP listed and I like them. I also did not have any problem with the oem style gaskets. Thought I would try something different - and I do have a manual and did torque properly and rechecked!! I might be afraid to make a suggestion in the future! I love this forum and read it almost daily. I learn a lot and even some dos and don'ts. However, I am always amazed at some of the attacking of post on here!