73 Six Days 125 -- Assembly

[Ron]

Hi Guys,
I'm slowly getting my bike back together and found a very difficult step.
The trouble I had was installing the muffler/exhaust pipe.
With the gas tank removed I tried to slip the pipe through the frame past the airbox, but could not get the header pipe into the exhaust flange.
I took the airbox back out, thinking it was making things difficuly, but it didn't seem to be any different than with it in place.
However, this time I noticed the pipe was coming in contact against a cylinder head fin, preventing the header pipe from lining up. I had to remove the cyclinder head to get the pipe on.
Did I miss something? Do we really have to remove the head to remove the pipe?
Would love to know if there is a better way.
Any assistance, would be appreciated.
RonW

[firstturn]

Ron,
  You didn't miss anything.  The easy way to put one of these pipes on is to take the bolts off or have the bolts loose on the exhaust flange and take all head bolts out.  Be sure that all the mounting rubber mounts are either off or loose.  The pipe should go on.  You don't have to take the airbox off.  I have changed many of these over the years and one needs to take time and it will work.

Ron Carbaugh
Kerrville, Texas

[Ron]

Hi Ron,
Thanks for the follow-up.
I got the pipe on okay, just seemed strange to have to remove the head to put it togehter.
I also scatched the frame all up, before I figured it out.
The pipe and side number plate will cover most of the touch-up though, thank goodness for spray cans.
Thanks again,
RonW