How to Install Exhaust Gasket on a Motorcycle

Let's take a look at replacing exhaust gaskets, whether you're replacing them due to age or because you're replacing an exhaust system, they need to be replaced carefully. Chances are when you remove the old exhaust gasket, no matter how hard you try, you're gonna destroy it. I myself like use a hook style pick and just grab it carefully and pull it out of where it belongs. Whenever you're replacing an exhaust gasket, make sure you remove all of the old exhaust gasket material. There's typically two styles of gaskets, a flat ring style and then what's known as the stock replacement cone style. You can see there's a lot more meat to the factory cone style, but a lot of the complaints are, if they're not installed correctly, they bunch up and they'll actually cause a restriction in the exhaust flow. What I typically do when I'm installing a cone style gasket, I'll get it started by hand and I just want to get it up into the exhaust port where it'll stay by itself. Then I'll use a 50 millimeter wheel bearing race installer tool. You can then install the tool on the end of an extension and just apply light pressure and gently rock the cone style gasket in until it's flush with the entire cylinder head surface. At this point, you've installed the cone style gasket without disturbing any of the mesh. The problem lies that if you don't install them correctly, the mesh will bunch up cause a restriction in exhaust flow and possibly leave a leak around the ceiling surface of the exhaust.