well I got my hindle high-mounts from ebay, and I had a helluva time fitting them on. the metal is too thin to for my my clamps to get ahold of the header, so today I went to the hardware store and got some sheet aluminium, and added some layers under the clamp, I got the pipe locked down, but I'm still feeling a slight exhaust leak from where they are joined. I have good strong pulses coming out of the can, so I don't know if its worth further attention. is this normal for aftermarket pipes? and am I taking a hit in performance unless its airtight?

 

c'mon guys, I want to know if I have more work to do. might do it anyway.

 

I wouldn't worry about losing performance through a minor exhaust leak. You could try and seal it up with some joint compound or something similar, if it bothers you.

 

You shouldn't lose much but it's not a normal thing for after market exhaust to leak.

 

well I know that the bike they were previously on, went down before they were sold on ebay. I think it might have bent then slightly in a few places. they don't look damaged, but they just don't fit quite right. it took a little finess to get them on. but I have thought about it and I think I've come up with a better method of using the sheet aluminium I got to help increase the sleave thinkness of the pipe at the joint. before I wrapped the aluminium around the outside. if I can get it on the inside of the larger pipe, it will give me a tighter seal. we'll see tomorrow.

 

Black High Temp Permatex might just solve the problem.

Mike

 

Auto stores have some muffler wrap this is basically very thin high strength metal wrap. It also comes with "plasticy" base that melts to bond everything.
Don't use that part. Cut the foil into long strips and wrap it around the joint. That should do it. My RC51 pipes were a tad larger and this along with the stock gaskets worked for me.