83 KZ750 F1 Exhaust Collars - purpose?

Hey all,

I picked up an '83 750 in rough shape a little while ago and got it running but its absolutely pouring exhaust out of the headers, nearly to the point where its essentially like the exhaust isn't hooked up at all. I disconnected the pipes and these 8 semi-crescent exhaust collars fell out with them. Does anyone know what the purpose of these collars is? Does the exhaust gasket go on before or after the collars? Thanks

patton has posted an image around here somewhere.

gaskets first -- then header pipes -- half-moon exhaust collars (small ends against header pipe flanges) -- exhaust holders

or a different way to look at it:

exhaust holders -->> half-moon collars -->> header pipes -->> gaskets -->> engine exhaust ports

Good Fortune!

Awesome guys! Thanks a ton!

It's best to install new exhaust gaskets. Assuming there are gaskets in the ports & you plan on re-using them, do not over-tighten the exhaust holder nuts --- an exhaust stud could break off. I would apply some high temp rtv silicone gasket maker to old gaskets.

When installing a 750E exhaust system on my 650, I wasn't sure if the headers fit the exhaust ports perfectly, so I installed new gaskets & used Permatex Ultra copper hight temp rtv silicone. a small amount applied to both sides of the gaskets then gently put them in the ports. let the stuff cure for about 5 minutes before installing the muffler system & tightening the exhaust holder nuts. I tightened the nuts by feel, but not completely tight. After the stuff cured overnight, re-tighten the nuts the next morning. The stuff dries to a stiff but flexible rubber.

I used a small INCH-lbs torque wrench on some of the nuts, but I have to use a small wrench on the rest as the torque wrench doesn't fit. Torquing a couple of them gives you a feel for how tight the rest of them should be.

Sometimes -- instead of using a new gasket -- two old gaskets are both fitted inside the same exhaust port.

In such cases, when removing the old gasket, it's easy to overlook the 2nd gasket which may be encrusted inside the port and difficult to see.

Would suggest using a dental pick or similar tool to assure removing all gaskets, carbon build-up, etc. from inside the port before installing the new gasket.

Good Fortune!