My GRiSO has no Exhaust Gaskets - WTF!!!

976376 part # is missing from both sides on my 2015 GRiSO...how could that happen??!!

I decided to check a bunch of bolts today, the exhaust manifold bolts were not tight, and even one of the studs spun out when trying to remove the nut instead of staying put.  So...I decided to pull everything off...there are NO gaskets at all...surely this is a major assembly error at the factory, or are these assembled at the dealer typically?

Ordered a couple from MG Cycle this evening, should make I reckon quite a bit of difference in noise and performance not having this minor leak on both sides that I didn't even know had existed...at night with lights off using a flashlight I can see whisps of exhaust curling out right at the header, much more on the left side than the right side...now I think I've got the explanation for why the left pipe had purpled quite a bit and much more than the left side.

Quality Control...MISSING!!  

Are you sure they aren't there? They compress down fairly tightly and are pretty much invisible. It is highly unlikely that the headers could be fitted without them and not have an obvious leak occur.

I've made that mistake. They compress down to virtually nothing. I was convinced I had left the right one it out at some point. I had to scrape it out.

Thanks Pete and Mark...honestly I looked extensively on both the engine side and exhaust side and I don't see them at all, unless they are so so thin that they are invisible, and since I have wisps of exhaust leaking out, it seems they are missing or crushed to the point of being ineffective.

At any rate, when the replacement ones come from MG, I'll know pretty quickly if that solves the issue. Thanks for the speedy replies!

So in the end did the new gaskets deal with the issue?
I realized that I also have a leak on the underside of the exhaust on both sides where the pipe meets the cylinder. It's not a huge leak but enough to make the flame of a candle go crazy.

I had them off when doing my swingarm service and fear that I did not put the headers back in correctly. It's kind of a pain in the ass to wiggle in correctly alone. I'll try to get help to put them back in. It's my understanding that the exhaust system should be completely airtight. Or is it normal to have minor leakage at that location?

Airtight is better - however reality means they will probably not be perfect once removed and reinstalled without new gaskets.

I've noticed that my bike bogs down for a split second before revving up when rapidly twisting the throttle from idle. I realized this after remounting the exhaust...I'm not 100% sure it didn't do that before since I had the bike since a month or so but I think it didn't.
Could that be due to the exhaust leak? I checked my intake several time, no leak there.

In The process of replacing my gaskets. Does this mean that I have a lean mixture? [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Exhaust valves run very hot.

Yes I understand that but never had white e valves on my previous motocycles. Ok so nothing special for a GRiSO and no need to trim my co up a bit?

If it's running fine with no detonation? What map are you running?

Bettle map with Agostini exhaust.
Running fine in general. I sometimes have the high idle issue for 5-10s but this seems to be stepper Related and the short dip in revs before catching up when I quickly open up the throttle in neutral from idle

Maybe check the plug colour? - that should be light tan and not as white as the exhaust valves are.

Valves being that white is possibly a hint that the exhaust valves need regrinding so they get more seat contact and lose more heat to the head.

Haha working on this motorcycle is like opening the pandora box. You better not open it because if you fix 1 thing and you have 10 new things that pop up
It's fine though I learn a lot and I like doing it.

Modern gasoline burns a lot cleaner than the old crap that left carbon deposits. The art of plug reading has gone away, to be replaced by exhaust gas analyzers.

Sorry Rick but no. You can still tell an awful lot by reading the plugs.

Certainly data logging, either on the road or a dyno, will give more precise information but you can still tell an awful lot, and confirm logging results, by reading your plugs.

I agree. Plug reading provides a good indication of an overall combustion condition.

My GRiSO was missing the gasket where the left header goes into the collector. Nothing in there. Just replaced the exhaust studs (one broke) and the gaskets at the head were paper thin.