Frustrated!

[Bartolucci]

Tried to put my nicely wrapped and painted exhaust back on the bike today and what a disaster. Wasted two plus hours. Scratched the pipes all up and ended up having to take them completely off again to repaint and redo one of the wraps.

My problem is getting the stupid exhaust shims to seat. Is there some helpful tip for doing this?

This was an exercise in frustrating futility. I literally have not been this mad in years. My BP must have been off the charts!

[randy]

Bartolucci;

It's simple. Squeeze them slightly to give them a very faint oval shape. Very faint. Not like egg-shaped. They will then hold themselves in the bore while you bolt up the pipes.

[Bartolucci]

Here is a question borne out of ignorance. When I removed the exhaust the metal shims/gaskets fell out. I think my main problem right now is that I'm not sure how they are supposed to be installed. How are they oriented in the cyl. head? I can't find any pics online or in my manual. They're oddly shaped; they don't fit around the end of the pipe (too small) and when pushed together they don't make a true circle. Where does the 'lip' seat? Do the shims butt up against the exhaust tube or encircle (wrap around) it?

What makes it tough is that it's so difficult to describe.

[randy]

Lemme guess...you don't have a manual?

[Bartolucci]

Thanks Randy!

Finally got the pipes installed and no leaks. Tomorrow I hope to get the carbs synced. Then a road test and see how the plugs look.

Tony B.

[petejw]

hi Tony,
I found a workshop manual (haynes)for the 400,
but its for the 75 to 78 models,
do you know if there is much of a difference
between these models and your 81?
if your interested in the book pm me.