Arrow header leaking where bolts to motor

[Bassmatt]

I recently installed arrow headers on my bike and am having trouble with one of the pipes leaking. I used new gaskets at install.
I have re torqued the flange bolts, it hasn't made any difference.
What should I try next? New gasket? Some sort of liquid gasket sealer? Something else?
Ok to keep riding it?
Cheers

[nzspokes]

Mine was sweet with old gaskets. How bad is it?

[Bassmatt]

Mine was sweet with old gaskets. How bad is it?

Well I'm not sure how bad it is. I am using one of those elongated bbq lighters to test for leaks. Its enough to blow the flame out.

[AllanB]

Don't keep on riding it - long term it could damage the valve.

I'd start by loosening off all exhaust mounts and joins from each header to the end can.

Start tightening again at the head - each cylinder a bit at a time before nipping up each bolt with the final correct torque (like you do with car wheel bolts). Then work your way back down the other join clamps/mounts - a bit at a time. This should keep the head join correctly fitted.

If that does not work - or at the same time to potentially save doing it again - change out the gasket - they are cheap. Maybe it's a dud.

[AllanB]

Mine was sweet with old gaskets. How bad is it?

Copper ones? Ya tight bastard, they are about the cost of a fish and chip night for the family.

I have heard of people heating them with a blow torch before re-using them. Sounds like a 'shop closed' solution to me.

[Bassmatt]

I've just taken it apart, looks like a dud gasket, it's all lumpy.
cheers

[AllanB]

I've just taken it apart, looks like a dud gasket, it's all lumpy.
cheers

Gasket cellulite!


Yeah - should crush down cleanly.


Anyway - you forgot to tell us how awesome it sounds. I spied one with a Yoshi can recently - sounded very nice.

[nzspokes]

Use one of the old ones.

I presume you have a remap setup?

[Bassmatt]

Use one of the old ones.

I presume you have a remap setup?

Ruined the old ones getting them out.
I'm trying to book a dyno and ecu remap with triple z cycles.

[Bassmatt]

Gasket cellulite!


Yeah - should crush down cleanly.


Anyway - you forgot to tell us how awesome it sounds. I spied one with a Yoshi can recently - sounded very nice.

Yeah it sounds good, I've only got the stock endcan on at the moment which is just enough to bring the noise down to a sane level.

[mossy1200]

Use one of the old ones.

I presume you have a remap setup?

Might find the originals have a smaller internal than the performance headers and cost some of the gains that have been paid for.

[AllanB]

Yeah it sounds good, I've only got the stock endcan on at the moment which is just enough to bring the noise down to a sane level.

I swear half the actual muffling is done by the cat converters now days - you'd have eliminated that with the new headers.

nice bike too.

[Bassmatt]

Well much to my amazement this morning, the local suzuki dealer had some gaskets in stock. I have replaced the dud gasket and it's all good now no leaks .

[AllanB]

Well much to my amazement this morning, the local suzuki dealer had some gaskets in stock. I have replaced the dud gasket and it's all good now no leaks .

Good stuff and I credit you on checking the headers for leaks in the first place.

Any noticeable difference in the bike with a change of headers?

[Bassmatt]

Good stuff and I credit you on checking the headers for leaks in the first place.

Any noticeable difference in the bike with a change of headers?

The most noticeable difference is the handling. I've lost around 6kgs from under the bike, I didn't expect too much but she seems a lot lighter on her feet.
Butt dyno says meh.