Exhaust Gaskets.

[HD]

I think I asked this on here before but can't find it

So copper or fibre and why?
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Rusty '02 Vito Camper + CBR600F3

[Bezzer]

Doesn't really matter as long as you anneal copper each time they're reused to make sure but personal choice is the thick alloy/fibre type as they seal easier with less torque making it slightly easier on the flange bolts. Only cost a fiver for a set of 4 and you usually find you can reuse them without leaks for so long.
Do any bikes actually have copper washers as OE nowadays??
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[Ichy]

Not based on anything but experience.

In a perfect installation without any plans to remove the exhaust unless its necessary I use copper. It is soft enough to deform and fill minor imperfections and seems to be more durable. It can be harder to seal the joint but once it's done it lasts longer. Unless your lucky it is hard to get a copper gasket to reseal once it is removed.

Fibre is better if the fit of the exhaust isn't as good as it could be, they tend to be thicker and deform more to fill bigger deformations in the joint. The do seem to burn away and blow given the chance but are able to be reused as long as they are not damaged.
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https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[Ichy]

[Bezzer]

[HD]

So fibre then?
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Rusty '02 Vito Camper + CBR600F3

[stinkwheel]

For me. Copper. I've had fibre ones degrade to the point they start blowing and you're left with a load of nasty corroded aluminium, with bits of fibre and exhaust carbon stuck in it to chisel off the cylinder head before you can fit a new one. A copper one pings straight off with a tap of a screwdriver.

Both seal well. Copper seals for longer, fibre is possibly a little more forgiving of you moving the exhaust about but I get around that by not torquing the nuts fully down until I'm happy with it all being aligned.

Don't forget to re-tighten the nuts after 100 miles or so, both types of gaskets settle over time and a few heat cycles.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Robby]

Copper for me too. I haven't noticed any difference in sealing performance, but with fibre ones they turn into corroded powdery mess when you remove the exhausts after a few years, and seem to promote corrosion where they seat. The means I need to clean up the area before fitting new copper ones, and I don't like having dust flying around the ports, even if they are plugged.

Protip - if they fall out of the holes, fit them with a smear of grease. Holds them in just enough, and burns off quickly.

Protip 2 - Use copper or brass nuts on the exhaust studs. Won't rust onto the studs, and if you put too much torque through they will strip their threads before harming the studs.

Also, if your studs are knackered and very rusty, just replace them. Don't replace with stainless, they might not rust but they do promote alloy corrosion. They also still get caked in burnt on crap, making the threads just as dirty as rusted mild steel ones. Bike exhaust studs always seem to be very expensive, so I buy a set of car ones on ebay.

[HD]

Think ill go for the copper ones then as it seems there are more cons than the fibre ones and if they both have the same amount of pros.

Cheers fellas
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Rusty '02 Vito Camper + CBR600F3