I think what I have is an exhaust leak on the front cylinder. I noticed while on vacation last week that there was a chirping sound when letting off the throttle coming from somewhere on the front of the bike. It would happen when I started it cold and would go away when the bike warmed up.

After getting home and cleaning the bike, there are black stains running from the bottom of the exhaust port where the pipe goes in and running down the fins.

I called the indy who had worked on the bike before I left and did take the pipes off, what I should do. He replied …just tighten the nuts up.

Is this ok or should I go buy a torque wrench in inch pounds and loosen the nuts and retighten to the specs that the factory manual states? If I do loosen and retighten, do I also need to replace the gaskets again? Thanks for your input, it’s my first Harley.

 

tighten em...it aint rocket science

 

Remember to follow torque specs....don't want to over-tighten and risk breakage or stripping! Also check all torca clamps and torque to specs.....Remember to do this periodically, with the heat present expansion and contraction takes place often.

 

Good advice.

 

uh yeup

 

With my old Triumph there is no rocket science. I would just cut up a beer can to use for a shim around the pipe to the manifold and tighten the **** out of it.

The factory manual on the Harley states, Using a long 1/2 inch swivel socket, tighten the top nut of the front cylinder head exhaust flange to 9-18 In-lbs (1-2 Nm). Tighten the lower nut to 60-80 in-lbs (6.8-9.0 Nm) Final tighten the top nut to 60-80 in-lbs (6.8-9.0 Nm) .

That is why I was asking should I just tighten them up some or loosen them and start from scratch. I have a feeling the indy didn't put a torque wrench to it and I am sure he didn't follow this sequence of tightening the nuts or it wouldn't be leaking. If it just means going out and tighten it up a little more, no problem. Thats why I am asking ya'll before I go and mess something up.

 

Sorry SteveB, I didn't see your responce before I started typing mine. It looks like an inch pound torque wrench is in my future. Thanks guys.

 

Just a tip, a little copper base anti-seize compound on those threads. Also, Grainger has some real good in/lb torque wrenches at better prices than sn*p on or mac.