Cylinder cover fouling exhaust

[Danbretta]

Just in the process of tidying up an Li150s. It's in original condition showing signs of bodging to keep it on the road over the years..one being the cylinder cover being hammered out of shape where the exhaust manifold meets the cylinder. I've beaten this back into shape and welded the splits so all looks good as it should have been.

My question is how has it come that the exhaust manifold fouling the cylinder cover to prevent it seating properly? Could the manifold have been bent out of shape or replaced with a bad fitting one, the box is original innocenti cloverleaf one and the manifold looks just as old. They have the usual scrapes and dents for an abused scooter.

I'm thinking of trying a scootopia manifold and seeing if that solves the issue. How do these fit has anyone used one. For £20 I'm thinking it might be worth a shot rather than knocking the old one into shape.

Any advice chaps,? Much appreciated

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

I take it you mean seating not sweating.
I have always cut away metal there to make retightening the exhaust studs easier with the cowling on.

[Danbretta]

Hi Chris,

Yes I meant seating you are right. Predictive text got me there.

My covering is actually hitting the pipe, so I cant line up with the holes its about 5 to 10mm away from the housing.