Question 'bout Slip-On RTV Silicon

[Pelikan]

Okay, so when I originally had the Yosh on there it had a slight leak.  Had to take it off to get the headers blasted so I could paint them.  When I went to put it back on, I ran a 1/8" bead of RTV silicon inside the Yosh pipe and slipped it onto the cut stock pipe.  From what I'm reading, I may have done it backwards...that I should have ran the bead on the stock pipe and slipped the Yosh onto that.

Does it matter which pipe you run the bead onto?

[ben2go]

Doesn't really matter.It just seems to work better if it's on the pipe instead of inside the muff.Just one question.Why didn't you have an adapter made to fit your header to the muffler or have your header pipe flared to fit the muffler?I paid nothing to have mine flared and I only gave $20 to have an adapter welded on to a header.I hate using sealants on anything unless it's a must.

[Pelikan]

The Yoshi TRS is manufactured specifically for the GS500, with appropriate mid-pipe.  I don't know what all this flaring business is.

[ben2go]

The Yoshi TRS is manufactured specifically for the GS500, with appropriate mid-pipe.  I don't know what all this flaring business is.

Ohh you have the GS kit.I though you had a slip on from another bike.Sorry,i was confused.With a full kit you shouldn't need rtv to seal the pipes.The slip fit plus clamps should seal it up.

[Pelikan]

There was a very, very slight leak when it was originally installed.  This may be due to two welding bumps that i smoothed down.  Directions say RTV silicon is recommended as a fail safe.

So, RTV in the midpipe instead of on the stock pipe will be okay?

[Mart3y]

The Yoshi TRS is manufactured specifically for the GS500, with appropriate mid-pipe.  I don't know what all this flaring business is.

I had to get mine flared to fit the TRS, they make the TRS to fit the '05 onwards, i put it on a 2002

I also used RTV/ Something Similar to make sure i had a good seal, i put it on the pipe, that way when i slipped the yoshi over it, it gets spread instead of just being pushed out of the way.

[ben2go]

There was a very, very slight leak when it was originally installed.  This may be due to two welding bumps that i smoothed down.  Directions say RTV silicon is recommended as a fail safe.

So, RTV in the midpipe instead of on the stock pipe will be okay?

There should be no issue using the RTV.I just didn't understand why you would need it.I have never used it on any motorcycle I have worked on, and I have never had any leaks because of the slip fit pipes.

[Pelikan]

I think it may have been because the shop that originally installed the slip on didn't grind down the welds on the pipe.  I was just adding the RTV as an extra measure of insurance or whatever.  Figured it couldn't hurt.

What I'm more concerned about is exhaust leaks from the headers.  Starting her up pretty soon...fingers crossed...

[Fry]

I always use High Temp Copper RTV sealeant on any type of exhaust joints matting surfaces in addition to whatever gaskets are or are not there.

Years of 2 stroke pipe joints, and the resultant spooge that leaks out got me doing this.

I find it an added bit of assurance. Make sure all surfaces are super clean, a bit roughed up and apply a thin bead to whatever surface. I then wait about 24 hours before I start the bike to make sure the RTV has a good chance to cure.

Good Luck.