Exhaust wrapping

[garyS-NJ]

I'm on the fence about wrapping my custom 4:1 header. Mostly since it was pieced together and all mad max with big welds. I would just be doing it for esthetics but someone warned me that the wrap keeps moisture on the pipes longer and will have them rusting... (and then with the wrap, it's unlikely one would check for rust, clean rust off, zinc prep, paint),.

Well I did the cleaning and prep and I'm on the fence now about wrapping. anyone ever take their wrapping off?

And if I do so, any recommendations on how?? Wet or dry tape?? stainless ties or wire? I would start at the exhaust port flanges and wrap down to the header? and then start at the muffler end (about where my open muffler clamps on ) and wrap up to the collector over the individual pipes? anything else?

 

[Steve]

"open muffler"??? Sorry, but you just alienated a bunch of member right there.

I have no experience with wrap, so can't offer anything there.

.

 

[Agemax]

this is what it will look like after you "unwrap" it after a while. DONT DO IT........

 

[garyS-NJ]

Thanks Agemax, that's exactly what I was looking for. Do you know if that pipe was painted before wrapping? And my open pipe alienates people ?

 

[Steve]

And my open pipe alienates people ?

Yes, there is a rather vocal minority on the forum that is rather against open pipes. Not that all pipes have to be bone-stock, whisper-quiet, but open pipes are the reason that motorcycles have such a bad reputation in some areas. In fact, there are some places that motorcycles are prohibited, likely because of experience with overly-loud bikes.

Personally, I do not care for loud pipes, but try not to preach about them. Yes, I have a Goldwing (whisper-quiet), but I also have a 4-into-1 header on my 850. :encouragement:
It has a wonderful baffle in it. Not quite whisper-quiet, but I can certainly stand to ride it all day (and I have, several times) and not offend anyone.

.

 

[gordinho80]

I can't speak to the condition of the pipes after removal... I wrapped mine about 2 years ago and haven't removed it. I MAY be removing it soon, however, to have my the whole exhaust ceramic coated, MAYBE.

Welcome from another NJ member, by the way. What part of NJ?

 

[TxGSrider]

I wrapped the exhaust on my atv to keep some heat off the oil cooler and my leg, and I left it on a year or two. I ended up removing it as it stunk whenever it got wet (which is allot on an atv) and it started falling apart (the wrap, not the pipe). But it didn't cause any damage to the pipe, but then again it's a high quality stainless steel exhaust, the results might have been allot different on a regular pipe.

 

[garyS-NJ]

I dont like very vocal minorities or majorities. To each his own. Isn't that at the core of motorcycling? I live in a densely populated area and loud pipes may well disturb some drivers but it's those texting and blaring headphones drivers that I need to disturb to stay alive. Btw, most of the riders I know are on loud Harleys and their consensus is that hot rod sportbikers blazing on the highway is what gives bikers a bad name (& of course the media)

 

[Dogma]

I dont like very vocal minorities or majorities. To each his own. Isn't that at the core of motorcycling? I live in a densely populated area and loud pipes may well disturb some drivers but it's those texting and blaring headphones drivers that I need to disturb to stay alive. Btw, most of the riders I know are on loud Harleys and their consensus is that hot rod sportbikers blazing on the highway is what gives bikers a bad name (& of course the media)

After claiming that you need loud pipes to stay alive, it was not necessary to point out that most of the riders you know ride Harleys. They are mistaken about whether loud pipes give motorcyclists a bad name. See the South Park episode on "The F word" for a hilarious illustration.

Also, motorcycling is about motorcycling, not "to each his own". Do your own thing, ride your own ride, for sure. But not without regard for the people around you. Doing what you want without regard for others is not a great way to make friends.

 

[hillsy]

Cant say I've ever seen a 4-1 wrapped where the collector looks tidy.

Paint before you wrap to slow down the rusting process if you must do it.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Loud pipes don't save lives, but they **** people off enough that they may endanger them. Only idiots ride with open pipes. Don't be one of those-and puleez: Never use Harley as any kind of gold standard. It's more like a brownish tan turd.

 

[wymple]

You can wrap stainless. Regular steel rots.

 

[GSCafe]

I had my pipes ceramic coated *before* wrapping. I started the wrap at the header and worked back to the collector. The clamps that came with the wrap sucked so I bought some better stainless ones. After wrapping, I coated the wrap with a high temp silicone wrap spray. It smoked a little at first but once it cured up, it kept the wrap looking spiffy and water from soaking into it.

 

[gordinho80]

Cant say I've ever seen a 4-1 wrapped where the collector looks tidy.

I think mine came out pretty tidy...

I trimmed the frayed ends and it all cleaned up nicely, in my opinion.

 

[Wingsconsin]

This might be taking thsi thread off track ....

This might be taking thsi thread off track ....

...In this months Motorcyclist Magazine on page 8 there is an article discussing a new proposed California law

Senate Bill 435 says that motorcycles whose exhaust systems do not display the EPA approval sticker or stamping can earn the owners a fine and a 'fix-it' ticket.

This bill is driven by EPA standards for cleaner air however the OEM exhausts are typically the ones that meet the EPA requirements and not the aftermarket stuff that many HD riders have the dealership install before the bike leaves the building in an attempt to create more HP (and consequently more noise)

This bill will only affect bikes built after Jan 1 2013 so we are safe from scrutiny - but there is a push to quiet the motorcycle industry's exhaust issues.

 

[garyS-NJ]

That is neat work Mario. And GSCafe, can you provide more info on that silicone sealant?? I was thinking about high temp spraying over the wrap so as to seal it better. And yes, I already painted my pipe. Thanks both for bringing the thread back to point. I'm a tad surprised at the opinions as to what I should do especially when I feel it keeps me safe. A lot of folks that live and ride in the country would be afraid to ride in NYC or where I live.

 

[garyS-NJ]

And mario, not to take the post off point again but your motor looks good. I'm interested in the metal prep products and processes. Just bought por-15's ap-120.

 

[gordinho80]

PM me your cell, we'll text

 

[Grimly]

You can wrap stainless. Regular steel rots.

Stainless comes in various grades. Most of the stainless tube used for bike pipes will rot eventually ;I've got a set that are terminal and need replaced soon, but they've lasted >20 years, so I'm not complaining; there would have been two or three MS sets used up in that time. That said, I'd not care to risk accelerating the process by wrapping them.

 

[Guest]

Well I did the cleaning and prep and I'm on the fence now about wrapping. anyone ever take their wrapping off?

If you went as far as prepping for paint just finish the job and paint them. The big welds and everything else won't be very noticeable under flat black paint. I have never been a fan of header wrap, though, so I am biased. I don't mind the open muffler part, though, despite what others here will say.

And my open pipe alienates people ?

They do some here, there are those worried about offending the busybody neighbours and everyone else. I say do what you like, especially if you live outside one of the big (sh)ities where people mind their own business and let others do the same.

I dont like very vocal minorities or majorities. To each his own. Isn't that at the core of motorcycling? I live in a densely populated area and loud pipes may well disturb some drivers but it's those texting and blaring headphones drivers that I need to disturb to stay alive. Btw, most of the riders I know are on loud Harleys and their consensus is that hot rod sportbikers blazing on the highway is what gives bikers a bad name (& of course the media)

Well, loud pipes really don't save as many people as skilled riding does. Since you live in a densely populated area that is more sensitive types to offend in the end. As for the Harley guys, you will find that it's always somebody else's fault when things go sideways.

Don't be one of those-and puleez: Never use Harley as any kind of gold standard. It's more like a brownish tan turd.

While I disagree with your assessment of loud pipes, I like your description of H-D's and the standard they encompass.

...In this months Motorcyclist Magazine on page 8 there is an article discussing a new proposed California law

Note that this is Kommiefornia you are talking about. The insanity in that state should never be considered normal or allowed to spread. Maybe Trump could build the wall on their western border rather than down south and save the rest of North America a lot of heartache and aggravation.


Mark