Did you guys replace the gaskets where the head pipes bolt to the engine, when you changed out your exhaust? They are little meshy gaskets, kind of like steel wool. I did not b/c my bike was only 2 months old and the dealer said I should not need to. However, I am getting ready to install a PCIII and get a dyno tune and I am trying to make sure all other parts of my exhaust system, air intake, etc. are sound.

 

If you aren't leaking, then you should be fine.
They are very cheap, so replacement any time you pull the pipes is a good bet.

Also, the S/E ones offer much less restriction than the factory stock ones if you are looking for best flow before your tune.

 

I did, as a friend told me I should...

 

I did the smoke around the header pipe test and the smoke did not blow away or show any disruption, so I guess there is no leak. I'm not going to fix what's not broken.

 

get in the habit of doing things the right way...replace the exhaust gaskets with SE or Cometic. I'd use new HD clamps as well. Use to race and did all my own wrench work...purposely threw bearings and plugs away, broke rings and hammered oil seals in case a momentary spell of STUPIDITY came over me. There is never enough money to do it right but always enough to do it over again.

 

Well said.

 

I generally replace gaskets and so forth, but did not when I changed my pipes due to only having 500 miles on the bike. If I remove the pipes for any reason again, I will go back with new gaskets for sure.

 

Any tips or tricks to getting the new exhaust gaskets in? I've replaced several times on different bikes, and I always fight with getting the gaskets seated in the head without totally destroying them...

 

I pushed mine in with a 1\2" drive socket that was close to the same size... Went in nicely by hand... I saw the Bassani guys at Rapid City last summer using a old head pipe about 6" long and wrapped in duct tape to push in the new gasket..

 

I went ahead and switched out my gaskets today with the SE gaskets. I guess its better to be on the safe side. My PCIII came in today, so now I just have to get it in to the tuner.

When I installed mine, I pushed them in with my fingers, then gently went all the way around thegasket with a flat head screw driver and just made sure it was snug all the way around.