So about 2 or 3 weeks ago I put on a new exhaust from Vance and Hines and changed the gaskets while I did it. Only issue I had was when I was tightening one of the pulley cover bolts to torque spec it snapped, don't ask me how, I have wondered that enough alone. LOL But my question was, since I just put in new gaskets, is it alright if I take the exhaust off and swap the pulley cover bolt out for a new one that I bought and just put the exhaust back on? Or do they need to be changed again since its breaking the gaskets seal? Just don't want to re install the exhaust a second time and have a leak cause of a dumb gasket. Any help would be appreciated!

 

I've reused them bunch of times!

 

 

It wont hurt unless you tore or gouged the gasket. You think when Hammer is doing a bunch of dyno test on exhaust systems they change the gaskets each time...

 

It is a risk.
Post 2 has reused with great luck.
Post 4 presents a logic question.
I personally always use new gaskets....cost of part vs time to redo.
Good luck either way!

PS take great care with those exhaust studs.. there are many broken exhaust stud stories in this forum.

 

On a carb bike, exhaust leaks aren't a big deal. On an EFI bike, they can mess with the O2 sensors and cause troubles. You can reuse the SE style gaskets more than you can the OEM style ones.

 

From all the posts I've read, it's clear that torque wrenches break more things than they fix. Be ever so careful with those exhaust studs, they're like pretzel sticks.

John

 

I got a header leak from the nut coming loose on the stud. I tightened it down and no more leak. The new gaskets are cheap enough that you may want to repace them anyway for peace of mind. I am just gonna keep an eye on it and see if I develop a leak again.