On copper exhaust gaskets.

[Athame57]

Can anyone tell me if copper exhaust gaskets are an improvement over the originals?

[Laverda Dave]

Can you still buy the originals George considering they contained asbestos?
I've always used cooper gaskets although some appear to fit better than others. I normally tap mine home using a suitable sized socket in order not to distort them. When I tighten the header pipes I do it in stages across all four pipes to make sure they are all seated correctly.
Never had a cooper gasket blow at the joint so maybe not better than but equal to the originals in my opinion 👍.

[Bryanj]

They aint solid copper but have some sort of compressible filler in them, and that was original by the way

[Laverda Dave]

Thanks for the clarification Bryan. I remember taking some out back in the 80’s on my 400/4 at the time they were made of a white woven material (asbestos?) and were spiral bound with very thin wire. I immediately thought they looked very dodgy and they left fibres in the port.

[kevski]

I’ve noticed as of late a lot of these copper rings are only copper plated steel and aren’t really up to the job, so now I have gone to the aluminium and fibre type, put a magnet to the copper ones if it picks them up they are cheap Chinese fake rings.

[Athame57]

Thanks for the clarification Bryan. I remember taking some out back in the 80’s on my 400/4 at the time they were made of a white woven material (asbestos?) and were spiral bound with very thin wire. I immediately thought they looked very dodgy and they left fibres in the port.

Like the ones I have then.  I mangled the first ones I fitted but succeeded 2nd time, I had ridden a few thousand miles after I bought the bike none the wiser. Okay, next time the pipes come off, copper ones go in! Thanks everyone. 

[Athame57]

I’ve noticed as of late a lot of these copper rings are only copper plated steel and aren’t really up to the job, so now I have gone to the aluminium and fibre type, put a magnet to the copper ones if it picks them up they are cheap Chinese fake rings.

I have a magnet, will check, I won't be buying the cheapest!