Modern Vespa

Month and a half ago (or so) I installed an LV4Road on my GTS in tandem with the Power Booster. It was a tight fit, but I didn't seem to have to tweak things too much to get her bolted in tight.

With the post or two recently about cracked pipes/headers with aftermarked exhausts installed, I thought I'd take a look at mine tonight. Pipe and muffler looked fine, but when I snuck a peek from underneath it looked as if the header was coming away from the head. Is the exhaust flange supposed to be tight against the head, or is it fit at the round pipe, and the flange is slightly off the head.

I thought it sounded a bit louder recently, but it coincided with my going back to a FF helmet on a regular basis, so not sure.

I tried to get a decent pic, but it's tight under there for a D80 and my GF has my P&S at her place. What you're seeing is the side of the head, shiny pipe between it and the exhaust flange, and one of the flange nuts.

Opinions?

The flange generally should NOT be in direct contact with the head. The flange presses against a collar on the pipe itself to push the edge of the pipe into the port. If the flange makes it all the way to the head, the collar is no longer keeping the pipe snug against the port.

Awesome, that's what I had hoped. I think the difference in sound was all in my head. Thanks Jess!

Anytime!