If I remove the exhaust, can I reuse gaskets?
-
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 9:37 am
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1995 Goldwing TriKing Trike
If I remove the exhaust, can I reuse gaskets?
I'm preparing to change the shift shaft oil seal. I've read the tutorial several times, and it all looks "do-able". I even have the correct swivel socket in my toolbox to remove the internal shift leg.
On the off chance it turns out to be less "do-able" than expected, and I have to drop the exhaust, does it require new gaskets, or can they be re-used?
Thanks,
John
On the off chance it turns out to be less "do-able" than expected, and I have to drop the exhaust, does it require new gaskets, or can they be re-used?
Thanks,
John
- Happytrails
- Posts: 963
- Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2013 6:13 pm
- Location: Natrona Hgts, Pennsylvania
- Motorcycle: 1991 Goldwing 1500 SE
2018 Ural Gearup
Re: If I remove the exhaust, can I reuse gaskets?
So are your talking about the header? If so your gonna want to replace with new copper donuts. They really get crushed during installation and its not recommended to try and reuse the old ones. Good luck with the project. 

1991 GL1500 SE Anniversary Edition
Sun Flare Gold Metallic
Vallant Brown Inset
Sun Flare Gold Metallic
Vallant Brown Inset
- Erdeniz Umman
- Posts: 965
- Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:33 am
- Location: Ankara Turkey
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500SE
Re: If I remove the exhaust, can I reuse gaskets?
I replaced the seal recently, you don't need to remove the exhaust pipe.
But if you remove it, I recommend you replace the copper gaskets not to have further issues.
But if you remove it, I recommend you replace the copper gaskets not to have further issues.
- MikeB
- Posts: 3154
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: If I remove the exhaust, can I reuse gaskets?
Hi John.
Yes, if you remove anything that uses gaskets, especially exhaust system components, you will need to replace the associated gaskets.
BUT... you should not have to remove any exhaust components to install that shift shaft oil seal.
The seal removal and replacement is relatively easy. The tricky part is usually just getting the shift lever off the shaft.
I have done mine a couple of times and at first, it appeared that the lever was not going to come off without lifting the engine away from the frame.
After several attempts at lever removal and contemplation on unbolting the engine from the frame, the lever just kind of came off. There is a position you need to get the lever into to remove it, I just can't explain what it is. You will just have to manipulate it until you find the sweet spot.
By the way, I'm in Tacoma too.
Yes, if you remove anything that uses gaskets, especially exhaust system components, you will need to replace the associated gaskets.
BUT... you should not have to remove any exhaust components to install that shift shaft oil seal.
The seal removal and replacement is relatively easy. The tricky part is usually just getting the shift lever off the shaft.
I have done mine a couple of times and at first, it appeared that the lever was not going to come off without lifting the engine away from the frame.
After several attempts at lever removal and contemplation on unbolting the engine from the frame, the lever just kind of came off. There is a position you need to get the lever into to remove it, I just can't explain what it is. You will just have to manipulate it until you find the sweet spot.
By the way, I'm in Tacoma too.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
-
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 9:37 am
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1995 Goldwing TriKing Trike
Re: If I remove the exhaust, can I reuse gaskets?
Yeah, I think almost all the posts regarding a change out end in success. I'm just thinking about a plan "b", you know, hope for the best, plan for the worst. If I have to drop the header, I'll make sure and get new copper donuts.
Yeah, Mike...I thought I saw, at one time, you were in Puyallup? That's where I actually am. Nobody can pronounce it, so I say Tacoma...ha ha .
Yeah, Mike...I thought I saw, at one time, you were in Puyallup? That's where I actually am. Nobody can pronounce it, so I say Tacoma...ha ha .
- MikeB
- Posts: 3154
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: If I remove the exhaust, can I reuse gaskets?
If you have to drop the header I'd be more worried about the header bolts than gaskets.JohnUSA wrote: ↑Thu Jun 27, 2019 3:34 pmYeah, I think almost all the posts regarding a change out end in success. I'm just thinking about a plan "b", you know, hope for the best, plan for the worst. If I have to drop the header, I'll make sure and get new copper donuts.
Yeah, Mike...I thought I saw, at one time, you were in Puyallup? That's where I actually am. Nobody can pronounce it, so I say Tacoma...ha ha .
Nope, Tacoma bordering on Spanaway.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- okie2ee
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 4:39 pm
- Location: Sapulpa, OKlahoma
- Motorcycle: 1992 Honda Goldwing 1500 Interstate
1986 Yamaha V-Max
1994 Yamaha V-Max
Re: If I remove the exhaust, can I reuse gaskets?
There's a How-To Article on how to remove a blocked shifter arm with removing the exhaust. That happened to me also.
- CrystalPistol
- Posts: 1414
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:07 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
- Motorcycle: 1997 GL1500SE/'98 Lehman Trike
Re: If I remove the exhaust, can I reuse gaskets?
Not that one needs to drop exhaust for shifter brace …
… just a note to say I have reused copper O rings after heating cherry red over propane torch and dropping in water. Softens the copper. Works for sealing washers too.
The gaskets that likely will never be of further use are the sleeve like gaskets at pipe joints. They break easy. I do have a old wrench type pipe expander I open ends up just a hair to make round again with. It helps, even with new sleeve gaskets. So far, knock on wood, every time that I have dropped a header on one of my GLs, header studs did OK, even when stud came out with nut.
… just a note to say I have reused copper O rings after heating cherry red over propane torch and dropping in water. Softens the copper. Works for sealing washers too.
The gaskets that likely will never be of further use are the sleeve like gaskets at pipe joints. They break easy. I do have a old wrench type pipe expander I open ends up just a hair to make round again with. It helps, even with new sleeve gaskets. So far, knock on wood, every time that I have dropped a header on one of my GLs, header studs did OK, even when stud came out with nut.
Make Courtesy your "Code of the Road" …
… & Have a Safe Trip!
… & Have a Safe Trip!

-
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 9:37 am
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1995 Goldwing TriKing Trike
Re: If I remove the exhaust, can I reuse gaskets?
Ok...that was wickedly easy. I had my plastics and shifter off waiting for the seal to arrive.
It took about fifteen minutes to get to remove the inner shaft, remove the seal, clean up the seal recess, install new seal, clean the grime off the inner shaft, and put the shaft back on. I guess I was one of the lucky ones, didn't have any frame interference to wrestle with.
Now, having a celebration beer, and then installing the shifter pivot support.
It took about fifteen minutes to get to remove the inner shaft, remove the seal, clean up the seal recess, install new seal, clean the grime off the inner shaft, and put the shaft back on. I guess I was one of the lucky ones, didn't have any frame interference to wrestle with.
Now, having a celebration beer, and then installing the shifter pivot support.
- MikeB
- Posts: 3154
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: If I remove the exhaust, can I reuse gaskets?
Good job, John. Told you it was easy.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA