UPDATE:
After finally getting over to the dealer and trying to order the exahust port gasket (after all, everything else I've bought for the bike they had to order) I was surprised to see that THEY HAD THEM IN STOCK ... so I got two of 'em.
Then I got my Clymer manual and a nice day (don't have a garage to work in ) and started to loosen up the exaust to get to the gasket.
Long story short .... didn't have to use the new gasket .. one of the bolts was LOOSE holding the clamp over the pipe end onto to the cylinder!! (I mean it was just about finger tight .. surprised it hadn't fallen out all the way)
I did remove both bolts and slid back the clamp but decided not to go any further and re-assembled everything ... bike sounds like it used to now. The loose bolt must have caused the exaust to leak past the gasket at anything over idle .. that was the "sharp" exaust note I was hearing.
Proud of myself for finding and fixing the problem, but also somewhat foolish for not checking that first
Richard in Boston, MA, USA
PS still have to deal with the handlebar 'problem'