Topic: Exhausting Question

[Vintageguy]

Finally talked the plater into chroming my 1978 CB750F exhaust system. They hate doing them due to solution contamination from carbon in mufflers. The question is; How can I reinstall the sleeves into the portion of the header with two (2) pipes back into the head by myself? I come from a poor family and only have two hands.  Am I correct in assuming that it takes two people to install the first part of the header, or am I missing something? Thanks for any input. 

[bryanj]

It can be done by one person but not easy till you figure it out, too long ago for me to remember sorry.

Perhaps a trained spider with a mechanical bent might help

[2wheels]

I took my 78 F exhaust off every year to repaint it.  My chrome was a mess so repainting them was the easy fix.
I guess i don't really understand your problem, i always did it by myself.
I installed the complete header in one step.
I used masking tape on the header pipes to protect my new paint.  And also to hold the 4 clamp rings ( i don't know the proper name) in position.  These rings need to be held not where there will end up once installed but down the pipe a couple inches, just before the bend down. So lots of masking tape is required.  Don't skimp here or the clamp rings will slide down the pipe and you may have to swear at it.
A large block of wood under the bike for the pipes to rest on.
Put the header pipe in place.
Get 2 sleeves in place on one pipe, free the clamp ring from the masking tape.  Push the clamp ring into place over the sleeves.  Put the nuts on LOOSELY.
Repeat for the other 3 pipes.

Or maybe i am just not understanding your situation, that happens to me more often then i would like.

[Greaser Greg]

I have also done it alone. Required some fiddling and wiggling, and loose bolts at first, with tape, as above.

[kerryb]

I hang the exhaust system where it needs to be with bungi cords and then start putting hardware on.  The elastic cords allow enough wiggle room to get the fit right.

[Vintageguy]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll try it alone this time (had help the first time). Guess the buzzword here is LOOSLY for the flange bolts in order to have sufficient wiggle room for the second set of sleeves (and the 3rd and 4th) sets. Thanks again. This is at the same time the most helpful and least judgemental forum I use.