Exhaust gaskets

[007brendan]

The clymer manual says that the exhaust gaskets need to be replaced whenever the exhaust is pulled off.  What has been everyone else's experience with this?  Are they generally okay to reuse?

[Pigeonroost]

Well, if its no big deal to have to do a do-over IF the bike pops and cracks too much.  Depends on if the old ones were really crushed in tight, if they are all flattened out; they likely won't seal again.  Pretty cheap part, often at most auto parts stores if you know which number.  Also, its sometimes found that the nuts are full tight, but the gaskets still are not crushed (bottomed-out).  In which case a small stainless washer or two can be added to get more crush -- or studs set deeper in head.  Still, I recommend new gaskets.  ANother thing, sometimes folks fail to find a gasket to remove because it looks like part of the head its so well crushed in.  Its there; so pry it out; ya don't want two gaskets.

prs