The Hodaka Club Forum

Hello folks, Super Combat with an HT3 pipe installed (last season). I recently noticed this collar slipped from the manifold and onto the pipe. Seems like it used to fit nicely… Has anyone run into this before? Any ideas on how to solve it?
Pipe is mounted nice and solid, no play at the manifold, not sure why this happened.
Thanks,
Laurie

Looks like you used an 03 exhaust flange and that is just the exhaust gasket working its way out. You may be able to use something like a punch and work it back up and in,

Thanks OD, it actually pushes back in easily (which is the problem) - I might try sourcing something that's a tighter fit.
Wasn't sure if others had run into this and had a good fix...

High temp silicon might help keep it in there and give the exhaust a better seal as well.

Tom

Pep wrote:Hello folks, Super Combat with an HT3 pipe installed (last season). I recently noticed this collar slipped from the manifold and onto the pipe. Seems like it used to fit nicely…

IMG_6604.jpg

Has anyone run into this before? Any ideas on how to solve it?
Pipe is mounted nice and solid, no play at the manifold, not sure why this happened.
Thanks,
Laurie

I would think the springs might be the wrong length, Unless there is something I don't see the springs should snug the pipe to the manifold.

Check that, if the pipe is solid in the manifold AND the collar has slipped out then the pipe is a tad too long or the collar is too short.

Thanks everyone, I'll pull things apart for cleaning and inspection.
Yes, the pipe is very firmly set in the manifold. Raced all last year without this happening. But maybe something has changed in there.
Some exhaust paste might help seat things.
Thanks for the advice!
Laurie

That does look like an 03 Wombat exhaust flange. The 03 exhaust pipe has a shoulder to keep the gasket in place.

Danny

I wonder why I used an 03 flange? Didn't even know there was a difference.
So would the 97 flange work better?
This is what I just found on my shelf - both are different from what's mounted on the bike:

The left one looks like a Combat Wombat and I am not sure about the right one. See how they fit. Interior bore match, pipe fit snugly, etc. If my memory is correct the Combat Wombats ones are getting scarce.

Danny

Neither of those fits, which explains their life on the shelf.
And now I see the problem:

If you can source a 97 exhaust flange you would not need the gasket. More than likely with out a stop the gasket is going to back out again. If it lasts for the season may not matter much as long as replacement gaskets are available.

Danny

I think that is how the 03 gasket comes. There is a stop on the 03 pipe to hold the gasket.

That being said, I use the 03 exhaust flange without the gasket on my 98, with my HT2 pipe. Never had a problem. Instead of the gasket, I fill the void with hi temp silicone. I have also cut down the gasket area on the exhaust flange. About half I think. I'll take a picture if I get out to the shop today.

Mark in Illinois
#492

Thanks Mark! I didn't notice a performance difference over the weekend, but there was spooge seepage.
Looks like stacking the gaskets might also work to keep things tight - I'll play around with it and see.
What's your hi-temp silicone of choice?
You going to Jefferson?

It seems like at some point I found myself needing a 97 exhaust flange and didn't have one. I THINK I remember chucking a Model 99,01 or 02 flange up in my lathe and boring the ID out to fit the 125 head pipe. I don't recall using the inner flange but used a thin coat of HT RTV to seal it up. I hope I'm remembering this right. Looks like you had one on your parts shelf too! (the one pictured on the right)

Yes, Charlie - I found myself thinking the same thing...
I wasn't sure if boring it out would leave enough material that would hold up to use - sounds like it would. It could definitely be made into a snug fit.

This is the one I did on my 97. This is a HT1 pipe. I didn't seal this one, the bike is very rich, so you can see some drool.
Any HT RTV sealant like Charlie mentioned would be good. I can't find mine but it's whatever I had laying around.
Should be red for the coolness factor.
Planning on Jefferson with the Rat and the Grasshopper. See you there.

Mark in Illinois
#492