The freezer trick works, but you gotta be fast.

Coat the outside edges of gaskets with high temp anti-seize and they will slip right in with less chance of collapse, plus they will not leave residue when removed.

Just make sure to use anti-seize rated for 02 sensors....Permatex makes the best and it's avail in small tubes at autozone.

 

I just left the original one in when I swapped out the rear head pipe for my true dual conversion. Bike only had 3600 miles on it since new and still fits tight. I checked with smoke at 2000 rpm and no leakage was present.

 

..BTW..the shop manual on my 01 ultra states to first "catch the top nut on the exhaust stud" & always tighten the bottom one first. tighten the top one last..JFI

 

OK, this may be a dumb question, but what is "checked with smoke"

 

I think he means he placed a cigarette or cigar near the seal or joint to to check for leaks. If it's leaking you'll be able to tell pretty easily...

 

I figured it was something like that

 

dont limit your options...

 

Right on Road Ranger

Just light a stick of incense (or cigarette) and put it near the exhaust outlets and the smoke will move away from the port in the presence of leaking exhaust gasses! This same trick can be done at all clamps to check for leaks in the exhaust system.

 

I haven't heard anyone mention keeping chunks of the old one out of the head. Is this a problem or is it easy to keep clear? I'd hate to think what would happen if a lose piece got sucked back into the cyl area.

 

I love this forum