joint sealer - exhaust header to muffler - good idea, bad idea?

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dynodave said:
read #9 above...
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I read that, but by only tightening one side of the couplers, do they leak? I can understand using anti-seize and not tightening that side - i'm guessing it acts like a lubricant and allows that joint to float, but unsure of the leaking issue.
 
My balanced headers on bike bought in 1984 are intact with no repairs, rust got to the chrome but have kept them to use as pattern.
 
Commando's being rubber mounted and as well exhaust pipes things will break in time, when I first brought my Norton new and after a few years had problems with crack headers etc, but converting to the Featherbed and hard mounts and new header pipes made for my bike I have had no problem since with my headers, they were made in 1981 and are still on my bike and it was a everyday ride till 6 years ago, the headers are showing their age and one hole had to be brazed up about 10 years go but are still hanging in there, my exhaust rose always stay tight and in over 38 years have only lost one muffler mount nut, but that was a very long time ago, I have never had any problems with my rose threats stripping out.

Ashley
 
joe czech said:
I read that, but by only tightening one side of the couplers, do they leak? I can understand using anti-seize and not tightening that side - i'm guessing it acts like a lubricant and allows that joint to float, but unsure of the leaking issue.
Click to expand...
The parts manufacture surely varies, so the fit up would vary. Some would be tightened and crushed to hell. Your guess if they will leak or not is just as good as mine. If it leaks put more anti seize (I use silver nickle based antiseize) or add a run of clear RTV. My MKIII has been good since around 1995...but has not cracked (yet). I tighten the inner bolts so they do not jiggle but are not tight or deform the couplers. Disassemble it and start fresh every few years.
 
On second hand flea marker pipe sets are usually quite ugly from the disassembly process of the balance pipe joints.
It seems that after a while the more liquidy carrier gets baked out of the antiseize paste and the residual nickle powder gets infused with some carbon. The final result also seems to help ease disassembly if doing maintenance tasks.
Big difference between trailer queens and veteran road warriors...:)
 
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