leaky exhaust headers

Hi folks, I'm currently going slightly mad with my 2000 curvy. I think the nuts are loosening on the exhaust downpipes where they join the engine and the bike is slowly getting louder and running rougher!
I've tightened the front ones and put locknuts on there to be sure but how do you get to the back ones? they're buried so deep I can barely see them. Does anyone know a clever trick to tighten them without taking the engine out completely?

Thanks

[northwind]

Yeah, there's a few ways to do it, but the best is just to go in from behind and under the bike, around the shock. Fiddly but it's the least disruption. Or, you can take the rear plastics and subframe off, but that's much more work. Is i definately leaking though? Can you feel exhaust gases if you put your hand near it?

Ha, can't get my hand near enough I'd like to replace the gaskets between the headers and the main zorst system too but don't know where to get new ones from.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by sixstring

Ha, can't get my hand near enough

I'd like to replace the gaskets between the headers and the main zorst system too but don't know where to get new ones from.

What are you talking about?

[yorkie_chris]

Look closely and see if you can see puffs of smoke, you can get your hand near the rear header just don't get too close.

Front one... copper gasket on the head, then a wire wool type thing in between the front pipe and the collector.

Rear one... copper gasket on the head, wire wool thing between stub pipe and collector. Then there's usually a slipon, so there's another 2 joints between the two ends of the link pipe.


I think it's something else. Is it backfiring really badly? That's usually the case if it's got an exhaust leak.

No, no backfires and no smoke. I think I'd best leave the exhaust alone - If it ain't broke....
I've noticed the carbs won't stay balanced for too long, could that make the engine sound loud?