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Started up my 220 today to wheelie around the yard, I have not ridden in a while because of that old shoulder dislocation still giving me trouble. When I started the bike, I noticed smoke coming out of the head where the pipe goes in? WTF?! The pipe feels just a little loose, would this be a good time to see about ordering a desert pipe?! Do I have more problems associated with this leak? And to those of you who have the 'desert' pipe, how much bottom end does it take away? My dad has the woods pipe on his bike and it just seems to not have much in the way of top end torque to me.

I put a desert pipe on my 220 with no noticeable loss on bottom end. But it was much better on top end. 2nd gear wheelies are just a quick twist of the throttle. I have a 12t c/s, but it was on there before I got the pipe, so I know the pipe works.

I would suggest that you take the pipe off and inspect the o-ring(s) and gasket. Whhat are the condition of the springs? Is there any chance a rock or limb may have popped up and knocked a spring out of shape?

Ditto on Jasons suggestions. The springs on my 88 got so fatigued after time they had little spring action left. My pipe flopped around without me knowing it, destroyed the copper gasket and wore an indentation in the head

Change the springs, copper gasket & O-Rings around the pipes

Do you think the springs could be matched at the hardware store?

-Maurice

I run the Desert pipe also. I did'nt notice any loss in low end torque, I think it helped it more than hurt it, but the top in torque is alot more noticable to me.

As far as the pipe leaking at the head, I'll bet it's probably just the rubber o-ring cracked. I'll probably replace mine this winter unless it starts leaking sooner. I could'nt beleive they used a rubber o-ring on an area that experiences the heat it does and not have anymore problems than they do.

Jon.

It may not be a "rubber" O-ring. Silicone O-rings are good for high temperatures and it is hard to tell the difference from rubber until you expose them to temperature or certain chemicals. I don't think a plain jane rubber o-ring would last too long on the exhaust near the head - but I have been wrong before.

Maurice - the exhaust springs are available through a number of aftermarket suppliers. Rocky Mountain Catalog likely has them for the exhaust pipe on Kawaski. I think Moose and FMF make the springs for dirt bike applications. If my memory serves me about $2 ea. except KTM which are about $4 ea.

A little high temp silicone around the pipe is recommended after you replace the o-rings. Also, wipe a little grease around the o-rings. They could be dry and it will help seal. I put the rev on mine in conjuction w/a Torque ring and the 220 rocks baby. Still has plenty of lowend and screams even more since I put a 35mm carb on her.

We don't need no stinkin' o-rings

High temp sillycone!

Cool, thanks for all the help guys! I will reply with pictures if things look sketchy but this sounds like a simple fix.

IdahoCharley wrote:It may not be a "rubber" O-ring. Silicone O-rings are good for high temperatures and it is hard to tell the difference from rubber until you expose them to temperature or certain chemicals. I don't think a plain jane rubber o-ring would last too long on the exhaust near the head - but I have been wrong before.

Maurice - the exhaust springs are available through a number of aftermarket suppliers. Rocky Mountain Catalog likely has them for the exhaust pipe on Kawaski. I think Moose and FMF make the springs for dirt bike applications. If my memory serves me about $2 ea. except KTM which are about $4 ea.

Ah ha! I did'nt even think about that Charley. High temp silicone meterial. I think your right about that. My bad, yeh rubber would'nt last long there for sure. Good point about the springs too.

Jon