blueing pipes

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by BigIron

I dont know what affect this would have on heat though.

Not much. Good luck getting the paint to stick to the chrome, however.

[Sarris]

Guys;

My 2005 GZ has 12,000 miles and has no pipe blueing. I think you need to check your carb settings as blueing usually means your engine is running too lean. I run 65 mph for some distance alot of the time, no blue!

:chop:

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Sarris

I think you need to check your carb settings as blueing usually means your engine is running too lean.

DUDE:

1) A LOT more bikes DO have a little blueing than the ones that don't. It is NOT something to worry about. Now, if the pipes start glowing cherry red........that is a WHOLE different matter!

2) What "settings" would you suggest "checking".......since the only easily accessable one is the idle mixture ??

[rayzuki]

Easy,

I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers. I get your point. My point was to mention that these "in theory" will not make the pipes any hotter than normal. I will agree with this. Just got back from a 50 mile ride and the pipes are not super hot. I can't say for sure without a temp reading but I would say basically no difference. Granted a 200+ mile ride may give different results. I don't know that yet. If I start to see problems I will take them off for sure but for now I do think it looks better than the blue pipes and I will leave them on.

[rayzuki]

Originally Posted by BigIron

I've been thinking of painting mine with engine paint. Maybe flat black from the head down to the front pegs. Some online MC stores sell paint made for your exhaust. I dont know what affect this would have on heat though.

I have used flat black header paint rated at 1200 degrees on my truck and it burned off. Took a while 6 mo to a year but it was gone and the headers started to look a rust color. In short I don't like the stuff and wont use it again. Even for a motorcycle with lower exhaust temp. I agree with Easy it won't stick to chrome very well. Just my 2 cents.

[Sarris]

You need to have a mechanic put an exhaust analyzer up the exhaust, pop the carb caps, and adjust the fuel & air mixture screws to acheive the correct stoichiometric ratio (The ideal air to fuel ratio is 14.7:1 for 4 cycle motors). I had mine properly adjusted at 100 miles. It runs better than ever, and no blueing after 12,000 + miles. It cost me nothing under warranty. GZ's are inherently lean from the factory to achieve the EPA emission standards. And, it gets worse every model year as the EPA standard get more stringent.

:2tup:

[BigIron]

I agree with Easy it won't stick to chrome very well. Just my 2 cents.[/quote]

How about if I sanded the pipes first??

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by rayzuki

Granted a 200+ mile ride may give different results.

No, listen, I really don't CARE what you do.....but you seem like a nice guy and I'm just trying to help you not to make a mistake you will regret later.

I think the heat may build up more on a (relatively) short run around town when the air flow isn't as strong.
Time will tell. Like someone else said, over time, the pipes can rust inside that wrap. How will you know if that is happening?

[Sarris]

The auto parts stores sell an ultra-high temperature header paint. If it really bugs you, I'd remove the exhaust system from the bike, give it a light sanding (to remove the shine and give the surface some light texture), meticulously prep the surface per the manufacturers recommendations and paint them w/ header paint. Pay close attention to the recommended drying time as well. It works just fine on car headers.

I think it's worth a shot. Black would look really cool. I'd do the whole system, muffler and all.

:rawk:

[BigIron]

OK Sarris, you talked me into it. I'm not doing the muffler though.