i got a gs with a vance & hines pipe on it and after starting it i realized the left exhaust pipe leaks. does the aftermarket pipes come with custom exhaust gaskets or do they still use the stock gaskets? Thanks

-Jonathan

The left header? Are all the bolts there? None snapped off?

Same stock gaskets but did you use new gaskets?
Did you tighten the header bolts properly?
Maybe you got a gasket in crooked.
I have a V&H on Junior. No problems. Dealer even did a tune up after I put it on - everything they said was one of the best GS500's they've seen.

Yes the bolts are still there and none have snapped off. There are no leaks in the cylinder head where the pipes come out. As far as I know about the gaskets I think they're stock. The bike came this way

But did you put on NEW gaskets when you changed the exhaust? You should ALWAYS put in new gaskets when you change the exhaust. They're cheap and important.
If you didn't put in new ones, maybe there is a gasket on only one side?
Get 2 new gaskets and put them on. Be sure you remove the old ones. Be careful not to scratch things when removing the old gaskets. Do not put new gaskets on top of old ones.
Insure flanges are clean and smooth.
Use anti-seize on the bolts. Tighten them. Run the bike for a while and check them to be sure they are tight. Things settle in and the gaskets smash down so you need to check tightness of the bolts for the first couple rides after bolting the exhaust back on. I was advised to do this and I did have to tighten bolts a little a couple times after putting on the new exhaust.

OK - now I am confused. I re-read all your posts. You say the left pipe leaks - so where does it leak? You go on to say "There are no leaks in the cylinder head where the pipes come out. " Where's the leak???
"As far as I know about the gaskets I think they're stock." and that also means you didn't change the gaskets. Right?

Well I have had bikes that had to have 2 gaskets before it would remotely get close to sealing ... of course carbon build up hels that eventually if its a small enough leak.

BTW V&H is made of craippey trash and it is made for a bunch of bikes like ex500 etc etc so it tends to be extra poor fitting.
However you wiggle and fit and tighten the bolts, if that dont work, put an extra gasket in there.
Cool.
Buddha.