My bike has a nice aftermarket exhaust with header. This winter I'm going to make some cosmetic changes to the bike including blacking out and possibly wrapping the currently chrome exhaust. I have watched videos showing the process and I've noticed that the people working on exhausts use sockets on the end of long extensions that are bent in a C shape, when removing the bolts. Looks like these let you get in the tight spaces where your hands and wrench might not fit.

What are these extensions called and are they commonly available at hardware stores or only at specialty shops.

Also, is it necessary to replace the gasket between the headers and the engine whenever removing the headers and are there advantages to one replacement gasket over another?

 

I use a box end on the upper front nut and a straight extension on all the others. I have removed my exhaust several times without having to replace the gaskets yet. Just need to be careful doing it. My understanding from posts in here is that stock gaskets are easier to use than SE ones.

 

Are you referring to a "crows foot" ?





Usually they can be managed with a 1/4" drive socket, extension, and swivel combo... but those crows feet can come in handy! Something I need to add to my tool box.


As for the gaskets, it's recommended to change them every time.... but I've seen them reused and not leak. There like $10 from the moco, cheap insurance to not have to pull your pipes again if they do leak. As for which type depends on the exhaust, if they have a tapered flange the stock gaskets will seal better. If they have a blunt flat flange the Screamin' Eagles will work, although i've had bad luck with them and usually stick with the stockers.

One another tip, follow the torque specs for the exhaust studs. They don't like to be over tightened, you'll either create a leak or worse break a stud.

 

Get the gaskets your pipes call for, my Bassani require the flat SE gaskets vs the tapereed stock ones. I think fewer exhausts now use the flat type now, my Bassani model was designed quite a few years ago.

 

The exhaust system is a Kerker 2:1 SuperMegs, which is sold by Supertrapp. The installation instructions on Supertrapp's website don't specify which gasket to use.

Thanks for all the suggestions and recommendations.

 

Call Supertrapp, that is how I found out(Bassani though).

 

This might be helpful to you: under "PRE-INSTALL NOTES" the standard conical gasket is recommended, not the SE flat style.

http://www.supertrapp.com/images/pdfs/003-7449.pdf

~

 

Just a -1 on the SE gaskets. Never had a good seal on them with any pipes. The stock ones work better.

 

Thanks. I swear I looked at that page on the Supertrapp website but completely missed what you wrote.