Gregory Bender

Cylinder head exhaust nuts - solving the loosening problem

Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police models

Updated:

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I had trouble with my exhaust nuts loosening. These are the large hollow nuts that secure the header pipes to the cylinder head. This is a known issue with loop frames, but is easily correctable.

MG Cycle (as well as others) sells replacement nuts that use a lock ring to prevent the nut from loosening. Since replacing my existing nuts with these, I've had no trouble at all.

Exhaust nut with lock ring.
Exhaust nut with lock ring.

Photo courtesy of MG Cycle.

Alternative method for keeping the header pipe nuts tight

Thanks to Brian for sending me this information in a private message. In Brian's own words:

Here are the pics of the exhaust nut holder. They work, are reusable and if they bust - who cares (so far, none have broken). Just removed the v-cover and it was nicely preloaded (the heat did not take the the tension out of the metal). It's a good idea to hammer the metal to make it tight.

Exhaust nut holder.
Exhaust nut holder.

Photo courtesy of Brian.

Exhaust nut holder.
Exhaust nut holder.

Photo courtesy of Brian.

Exhaust nut holder.
Exhaust nut holder.

Photo courtesy of Brian.