Hitchcocks Forum

Hello, I have Bullet 500, iron cast, 5 speed and I bought new exhaust for my motorcycle (pipe and silencer) from Mr. Hitchcock (1950's silencer kit). How do I install new pipe? Of course I have to fix it to the frame, but what about fixing to the machine part? Do I just put it in the hole of machine and that's it? Do I need to put any gaskets or something else to the pipe (in part of pipe that enters the machine)?

thank you

Peter

There is usually a copper ring between the exhaust pipe and the cylinder head. Also do not over tighten the exhaust to cylinder head nuts 8 to 10ftlbs is sufficient unless the manual states otherwise.

if your engine is the 'classic' type with a cast iron cylinder and an alloy cylinder head, I do not think there will be any studs with nuts holding the exhaust pipe into the exhaust port, nor any gasket there. The pipe should be a tight fit, and I always use ordinary silicone gasket sealer inside the port to seal it - this works fine, and is much better than the 'special' exhaust pastes.

You don't say what year it is, but it sounds to me the same as Martin says. When he mentions a tight fit, that's not impossibly incredibly tight, either!

I'd back up the use of silicone; I used ordinary bathroom stuff. It sounds like it would melt! BUT IT DOESN'T. It's OK.
As a matter of interest I have the 1950s silencer on my bike and I like it.

Like Chris says, ordinary bathroom silicone sealer. Clean surfaces before applying and allow to cure overnight.

Motorcycle is year 2006. So it's "old school" bullet with added electric start and with 5th gear added. So it's original bullet before new models with UCE engine came out.

Silicone is a necessity for our Bullet, the fit is about like me & Eskimo Nell, slack