Header/Exhaust gaskets

As long as I have owned my bike have never had good luck with the factory gaskets staying sealed....once they crush.... your done, can't tighten any more. So from advice from one of my buddies...... I'm trying some different gaskets...... please don't bash me but they are Suzuki gaskets! They are much thicker..... have a nice copper sealing surface with a mesh center. I'll see how they hold up.

That is a pretty common solution, especially for aftermarket pipes.

They work fine for me and reusable because of the fiber center

I had a small exhaust leak after installing new gaskets & 750E mufflers onto my 81 650. So after refurbishing the system last summer, I installed new gaskets again but this time I also used Permatex ultra copper high temp Red rtv silicone. no leaks. and no, I didn't gob it on or make a huge mess. hee. The 750E mufflers fit good, but I wasn't sure if they fit perfectly, hence the red rtv.

Apply a small amount of red rtv into the exhaust ports & a small amount onto the gaskets, then lightly place the gaskets into the ports. let sit for 5-10 minutes. Install mufflers & snug up the nuts by hand without over-tightening. tight but not over-tight. Let red rtv cure overnight. Then tighten the nuts again but this time to spec, without over-tightening.

I couldn't get my 750E pipes to seal properly with only the stock crush gaskets alone. I bought some exhaust manifold gasket material made out of a metal mesh inner core sandwiched by some sort of asbestos like material, and I cut out four donut gaskets to supplement the stock copper crush gaskets and that did the trick.

I had and exhaust leak for a long time because i used aftermarket copper gasket.
I find some oem kawasaky on ebay... and i try them...No more leak!
I compared the both gaskets, The aftermarket ones was not exactely the same diameter...

There seems to be a few different brands of OEM and aftermarket exhaust gaskets that are about the same size and thickness that sort - of maybe - ish would work for many models of older Japanese air cooled bikes. The aftermarket ones get stuffed into as many model gasket kits the manufacturer thinks they can get away with, and may not be a perfect fit for your bike. Its a gamble, really.

For example, Z1 Ent. has recommended OEM GSX-R 750 gaskets for the big K fours (1000/1100) in the past and they seem to be at least equivalent to OEM K - brand in sealing ability, and are usually in stock at S -brand dealers...

-Scott

........ Tried posting a video from my phone.....for some reason it wont post???..so how about a pic instead??? header and megaphone now on. sounds sweet.

Try YouTube or Vimeo?
Steve

Thanks Steve....... I'll have to have my 15 year old son help me......I know enough to be dangerous!!! When it comes to computer shit......