Replacing the Copper exhaust ghaskets - What are the benifits?

Hey there:

I replaced the copper ghaskets on my bike Wednesday night because there seemed to be some exhaust leaking from there.

When I took it for a ride I noticed that there seemed to be more power in the low range: 1st gear - pulling away from a stop seemed to be a little stronger, and then through the gears there seemed to be more power all the way through the RPM range.

Does anyone know how this should effect my bikes performance? Is there any concern about it affecting the air/fuel mixture?

The bike is running a lot quieter (my girlfriend even noticed it) and the pressure of the exhaust at the back of the muffler seems stronger.

I am sniffing too much exhaust or is this what should happen?

I would not think you will see a lot of increase in performance just by changing the leaking gaskets, if you let the leaks get too bad you could burn a ex valve.
My guess is the change in sound has put the happy face on you:)

It certainly is possible. Bike exhaust systems are tuned very precisely. Back when I was running my Kerker clone exhaust, I remember I took the baffle out after running it a few years and cleaned the innner tube (the one with all the holes the exhaust goes through). I put it back in and when I yanked the throttle in first gear, it felt like the bike was going to jump out from under me. I had not noticed the gradual loss of low end hit as the baffle loaded up with carbon over time.

She is tuned for a certain amount of back pressure. Change that (by a leak) and you change the state of tune. Yep...very possible.

Just wondering if you strip out one of the bolts on where the exhaust fins attach, how hard are they to replace?

I think on of mine is close and I may need to replace it soon.

KR

KOOL RYDER wrote:

Just wondering if you strip out one of the bolts on where the exhaust fins attach, how hard are they to replace?...

First about the gaskets... heck yeah they can make a difference. With leaky exhaust gaskets, you can introduce backfiring, and performance loss.

About the studs... they are dual threaded, and can be removed... with subtle blend of psychology and extreme violence... :silly:

Yea, the studs thread right out, just put a 6mm nut on the stud, then tighten another 6mm nut tightly to it, then put your 10mm tool on the nuts and twist the stud out just like a common bolt.