What is in my exhaust port?

[jandj_davis]

I have been giving my wife's Blast a little refurb this winter. It needs a new front isolator and rocker cover gaskets at the very least. Hopefully some new tires too. But, I have run across a strange issue. I took off the exhaust and found what looks like steel wool in my exhaust port. What is this? Do I need to clean it out? Is this what's left of some strange form of gasket?

Here's some pics of the current state. I wish I had a bigger garage, but at least it is something, right?

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Ha that is the exhaust gasket. Remove it replace when exhaust goes back on.

 

[GregoXB]

Yea it looks like an old gasket ring. You need like a hooked screw driver to pull it out, and clean the port as best you can.

 

[jandj_davis]

I expected a copper crush washer or something like that. Thanks for the info folks. Looks like I need to get me some picks to dig that out.

 

[jandj_davis]

OK, next question. Are these orange gaskets the only thing that goes between the upper and lower rocker covers, or is there supposed to be an additional flat gasket?

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Thats the gasket. Make sure that its replaced

 

[uly luigi]

Nice and clean in the rocker box, what oil, and how many miles?

 

[jandj_davis]

It's a 2006 with around 8K miles. I just bought this past summer, so who knows what oil was in it. I put Amsoil in it. The seller thought he had a peach, but it turns out the forks were leaking, the rocker box was leaking (not sure from where), and the front isolator was COMPLETELY shot. That, along with junk tires, makes it not much fun to ride. I am hoping a little refreshing and some care will have it back to fun.