Downpipe gaskets, Is It Worth The Risk?

johnsmith222 · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Dec 2008 Karma :

Hi guys,

My ZZR 600 is a bit of a rat and I'm doing some work on it just now to get it through an MOT.

It went for an MOT a couple months ago and it failed on the fork seals leaking.

It also got an advisory as the exhaust is blowing slightly.

I know that the problem is a gas leak where the downpipes bolt to the engine.

I have the whole front end off the bike as I've stripped the forks.

I am looking for your opinion as to whether it's worth the risk to replace the header gaskets. By risk, I mean snapping a header bolt in the engine.

I've replaced downpipes before on an old bike and used lots of plusgas and head and did this successfully without snapping anything.

What do you think guys?

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

Depends if it'll fail or just get another advisory on it come MOT time.
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Plumbers silicone to get it through the MOT.

Studs out later when you're not in a rush.
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mysterious_rider · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Sep 2010 Karma :

Leave it till after the MOT. It's a piece of cake on the zzrs. Mine came out really easy.

What pipe is it out of interest? If you wanna be lazy you can actually use a socket extender or something, wedge it in between the pipes and lever it out, swap the gaskets over, and do it all up without removing the other downpipes. Did this a few times when I tried to get air on the zzr. (Results in 3.5ft of air and crushed gaskets, for teh lulz)

Laughing

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johnsmith222 · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Dec 2008 Karma :

mysterious_rider · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Sep 2010 Karma :

You did it without removing the rad? Shit man, I had to do that once on a ride out, didn't torque the exhaust bolts enough and did it in a carpark and tools from under my seat, what a mish!!! Dropping the rad makes it sooooo much easier..

Glad it helped you mate! Thumbs Up

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