There is just an exhaust clamp that goes over the notched end, no springs or anything like that. That clamp was still in place and tight, but the gasket decided it was time to go, one way or another. There is physically no possible way it could've come out in one piece so it either disintegrated or burned up or a combination of both. I'm a little surprised that I can find no evidence of it ever even being there, but the machine has sounded normal until last weekend when it started to get a bit louder. I'm hoping my dealer has them in stock but gotta wait til Monday. For now it's torn apart in my backyard.
I've seen the posts with people talking about their exhaust springs being weak and breaking, but I guess the 1000s don't have that type of setup. Only springs on my exhaust system are the ones around the flange bolts where the muffler bolts to the Y pipe, and they're compression springs to hold tension on the flange, not the type that you posted on that pic.