I have noticed that my bike gurgles on deceleration until it warms up. My suspicion is an exhaust leak that seals once the metal has expanded. I tightened my ring clamps but the problem persists. In light of the leak being heat-related and only for a short period in each ride, would it be worth replacing the gaskets or just leave it alone?

 

Leaks are easy to find. Run your hand along the pipes where ever there's a joint. You'll feel the leak 'pulsing'. Do it after first starting the bike, before it warms up. You won't get burnt, and you'll confirm your suspicions if there is a leak.

 

Crap. My suspicions were wrong.

I just had a closer look at the rear head pipe. There is a thin crack. It was not there when I did my pre-weekend ride inspection but the gurgling was present before. I traced the crack with my finger and it disappears out of sight, which suggests to me that the original crack was always there but I could not see it.

I seem to recall an aftermarket mod that changes the stock head pipes into a true 2-into-2 setup. Does anyone have the website? If I am going to need to fix my rear head pipe, I may as well consider the option of the conversion.

Would leaving the crack remain until the end of the riding season be hard on my motor? It is only 1/32" of an inch thick and feels to be about 1/2"-1" long.

 

The problem with cracks is they continue to get bigger especially with vibration.

It sounds like you have stock headpipes. Check with some Indies or your dealer for some take offs. They probrably have a bunch of them laying in a scrap pile. Dirt cheap or free. Talk to a mechanic having a smoke out by the service doors..