Hmmm, I have a '48 B with 3 piece pipes. The front exhaust nut does not screw in a lot but enough to keep all the gases in. I recently had an experience with a silencer for my "A". It was sent back 3 times due to
"errors". Now it looks good AND fits but is way too loud. Not a lot I can do about that either, is there? I agree that if the pipes don't fit with a small amount of tinkering they should be sent back (at the supplier's cost).
To expect us to cut and flange the pipes is bit much to ask when just checking the tappet clearance is a major accomplishment .. For some Vincent owners here in Australia the nearest real help can be over 300 miles (500 Km) away and I would reckon we are not unique. It is accepted that the bikes were hand made originally but when exhausts made with the original tooling are impossible to fit then something needs to be done. As far as the units made by Overland here in Australia it is a lottery BUT the freight is cheap and so are the phone calls!
I would limit the number of gaskets to 2. I knew someone who obtained a perfect fit with 3 but then a leak developed. Guess what he found? NO gaskets........
"errors". Now it looks good AND fits but is way too loud. Not a lot I can do about that either, is there? I agree that if the pipes don't fit with a small amount of tinkering they should be sent back (at the supplier's cost).
To expect us to cut and flange the pipes is bit much to ask when just checking the tappet clearance is a major accomplishment .. For some Vincent owners here in Australia the nearest real help can be over 300 miles (500 Km) away and I would reckon we are not unique. It is accepted that the bikes were hand made originally but when exhausts made with the original tooling are impossible to fit then something needs to be done. As far as the units made by Overland here in Australia it is a lottery BUT the freight is cheap and so are the phone calls!
I would limit the number of gaskets to 2. I knew someone who obtained a perfect fit with 3 but then a leak developed. Guess what he found? NO gaskets........