Question about exhaust pipe "plates"

[bille]

1982 GS1100GL

I took my exhaust off today and when I did I took off the bolts at the head before the bolts holding it to the side of the bike. So when I took off the side bolts the exhaust just fell off the bike and I found 4 half moon metal plates on the ground next to it. The point here is, I didn't see where they were before they were on the ground.

At first, I thought they go on the pipes where you bolt it to the engine, but there are only 4 of them and I have 4 pipes. So if they went top and bottom, there should be 8 of them.

So I checked the parts spec sheet thing and it appears to show these "plates" only on the two inside pipes, where they connect to the engine. Is that right? Also, does anyone know they would only be on the two center pipes? Are they for support or something?

[Steve]

The other pipes don't need them because they slip out of the collector and you can then remove the collar.

Those "half-moons" give the collars something to push on to hold the pipes to the head.

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[bille]

I can't believe I didn't notice that. Thank you!

[Steve]

That's OK, even the best overlook something occasionally.

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