Friggin Harleys Shake Rattle & Roll

 
A week or so back, while riding with the crew in BC, I thought I heard a
slightly different sound coming from the RK's motor.

Now when I first bought the RK I was semi concerned about the various
noises emanating from the drive train, but was told if it is running
well not to sweat it, but listen for something different. Well today
after showing a Gold Wing rider the King has some get up and go that
slightly different noise became much more noticeable and clearly was the
sound of an exhaust leak. When I got home I tracked it to two nuts
missing from the rear cylinder exhaust header flange. After a quick call
the to HD dealer I was pleasantly surprised to hear they have in stock
the gasket, circlip and the two nuts. Had this been a Yamaha I would be
waiting for weeks for the parts, maybe even months.

I suppose the correct way to fix this would be to loosen everything
connected to the Y-pipe, replace the gasket and circlip and then tighten
the whole works up.  My HD service manual provides the torque specs and
tightening sequence so even the mechanically inept, like me, can do it.

My question for the more experienced is, do I need to replace the
gasket.  The header fits firmly to the cylinder head.  I can't move it
with my hand. The leak is minor. Do these gaskets need to be replaced
every time the pipe is loosened?

I would rather not goof around with the gasket if I don't have to.  My
preference would be to loosen the exhaust components, replace the lost
nuts and tighten everything up.  After that listen for a leak. I suppose
if it still leaks then I should dismantle the works.

Also is it appropriate to use blue Locktite on the nuts?  The torque
specs are 100 to 120 inch/lbs. I doubt I will be able to get the torque
wrench on one of them.

Thanks in advance to all of the productive replies before this thread
turns into another stupid discussion.

--
Disclaimer
Do not believe a thing I have said, unless you already know it to be
true, or can independently verify it from another source.

Reeky Ride To The Rockies
http://actualriders.ca/reekyrockies.htm

 Calgary (Don) wrote:

I have no direct experience with this exhaust gasket on a Harley, but it's
presumably not dissimilar to other bikes exhaust gaskets.

You can definitely TRY to get by without replacing the gasket, if it leaks
after tightening down the nuts, disassemble the exhaust so you can get the
old gasket out and put the new one in.  Most manuals say you have to
replace the gasket every time the exhaust system is taken off- I know this
isn't done by most Jap bike dealership mechanics, because the Jap bike
dealers never have any exhaust gaskets in stock.  I did remove the exhaust
headers on the FJR before our trip to the Canadian Rockies as part of the
suspension lube job, and I did not replace the gaskets.  Perhaps they are
leaking very slightly, it's not really a big deal, next time I take the
headers off I probably will replace them, as they only properly compress
one time.

If you want to use Loctite, you had better search for a type that is
resistant to exhaust header heat.  I don't think you're going to find
anything that can withstand that sort of heat, so I would just tighten
them up good and tight and re-check them on a periodic basis.  Part of
the price you pay for having an iconic, yet outdated 45 degree out of
balance motor with huge jugs.

 On 27/06/2011 5:57 PM, Mark Olson wrote:

Thanks Mark.  As always we can count on you for good practical advice.

I hadn't thought of the heat.

Part of

Re-torquing nuts and bolts is my most often performed maintenance
practice.  For me, it is a small price to pay. ;-)

--
Disclaimer
Do not believe a thing I have said, unless you already know it to be
true, or can independently verify it from another source.

Reeky Ride To The Rockies
http://actualriders.ca/reekyrockies.htm

 

In my experience, you can generally re-use the manifold gaskets (be they
crush washers or those asbestos-wound-with-wire type) at least a couple
of times.

I just replaced the exhaust on my 400 Four, and didn't touch the
gaskets. All bolted up. Ran it - a tiny blow from one manifold.
Tightened the nuts a shade more, and the job was done.

That said, I have a large stock of such gaskets and I should have really
replaced them, but if it isn't necessary, why do it?




--
BMW K1100LT  Ducati 750SS  Kawasaki GPz750  Honda CB400F  
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chateau dot murray at idnet dot com

 Calgary (Don) wrote:

  <<Snip the story about finding an exhaust leak>>


  Don , go ahead and try just replacing the nuts , all you've lost is a bit
of time  . DO NOT use loctite , the heat will destroy it as soon as you ride
. I use copper antisieze on those nuts on my bike .
  If/when you buy gaskets , get the SE ones - they look kinda like a tightly
packed steel wool ring , and obstruct exhaust gas fow less than the cone
shaped ones . The part no for my Evo is 17048-98 , if yours is a Twinky it
might take a different one ... the parts guy should know

--
Snag
Learning keeps
you young !