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header dent repair

  • Thread starter Thread starter jhelbig
  • Start date Start date
J

jhelbig

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I have a '79 GS1000 that I'm trying to put together (got it in boxes:(). The headers are dented and rusty and I want to try and keep these because they're black and original (I think) and I can't find any new black headers. So anyway, do you guys know where I can send it off to get fixed up or any other ideas? If not, do you know where I can get some new or undamaged black headers?
 
Hi Mr jhelbig,

Have you tried calling any local exhaust shops? Just a thought.


Thank you for your indulgence,


BassCliff
 
the black is most likely just hi temp paint. any local welding shop can pop the dents out for a couple of bucks and maybe even blast them for you on the cheap. what model is the bike? i thought they all pretty much came chrome?
 
It's a '79 GS1000. It may have came chrome, I don't know. They headers seem pretty good except on the bottom it looks like the PO hit a curb or something. An then further up there is a few other dents and dings. The only rust I see is on the dents. It may be hi temp paint but I don't think so.
I'll check a couple machine and exhaust shops and see what they say. I took it to a cycle shop yesterday and they said they didn't know anyone locally (Wilmington, NC) that could fix it. He did say that a few years ago he sent some headers off to a shop he found in the back of a motorcycle magazine and they did a bang up job (HAHA) :cool:. Unfortunately, he couldn't remember where or who it was. I bought two mag's yesterday and couldn't find any ads like he was saying. Anyone else seen some?
Thanks, Justin
 
How bad is the dent and where is it located on the header pipe? Shot me a pic of it and I may be able to walk you through with little effort depending on where in the pipe it is. Although these pipes are pretty heavy duty.
 
I'll post some pics when a get a chance to go through that whole setup of posting pics. Have too many 6 yr olds running around right now (kids slumber party, yeah me:eek:). The dents are one the bottom of the header, like the PO rode over a curb or something. And then there are some others like something was jammed or wedged in between two of them (straight back from the front wheel). I'll post pics when I can. Thanks, Justin
 
Old pipes

Old pipes

ry%3D400
Finally figured out (sort of), how to post pic's. So this is what I have to work with, what do you guys think?
ry%3D400
ry%3D400
ry%3D400
 
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well, one thing for sure is they are black chrome (its easy to tell with the pealing) the cost of shipping them both ways is gonna be more than what they are worth. if you cut the mufflers off so they fit in a smaller box and send them to me i can pull the dents out and glass bead them for you on the cheap but the black chrome is gonna be costly. i painted mine with hi temp black from autozone and its holding up quite well and easy to touch up if needed. in my picture gallery i have a folder called for sale and if you look in there you will see a complete system from my gs1000 that i can sell you, it has no dents or holes anywhere and sounded really nice before i removed it. if your interested just make me any offer and pay the shipping and its yours (your gonna need your old clamps). that way you only have to pay shipping once. if your not in a hurry DHL is really cheap for shipping these but it will take about a week to get them. hope this helps ya, cliff
 
Hey CLiff,

I dunno where Streetsboro Ohio is exactly, but one of these days, maybe for a SWOGS meet or something id love to get a look at that bike of yours :)
 
Yep, pretty much these bikes are money pits, aren't they? As far as money goes, getting some new ones is probably faster and cheaper in the long run. By the way, thanks for the offer, Cliff, but I was wanting to do the single side exhaust. You mentioned black chrome would be costly. So it is possible to take new chromed exhaust to someone and they can chrome it black? Or should I just get them powdercoated? I have a friend that did my frame and I think he'd give me a good price.
 
Holey Crap

Holey Crap

Cliff, just looked at that Skunk, :eek: . A total sleeper. I did not even notice the USD with that Colley fairing.

Grate job; pull it outside and get some better pics. Snow has melted right?

Pos
 
jhelbig said:
Yep, pretty much these bikes are money pits, aren't they? As far as money goes, getting some new ones is probably faster and cheaper in the long run. By the way, thanks for the offer, Cliff, but I was wanting to do the single side exhaust. You mentioned black chrome would be costly. So it is possible to take new chromed exhaust to someone and they can chrome it black? Or should I just get them powdercoated? I have a friend that did my frame and I think he'd give me a good price.
Click to expand...
Ceramic coating is your best bet IMO. Powder coating would be possible, but they'd have to use some high temp stuff. The pipes at the bend closest to the head are retarded hot just at idle. They'll smoke normal powdercoat as soon as the bike is started. Even High Temp paint (1500degree stuff) will change colour over time when exposed to the temps it sees at the head repeatedly...
 
I got a quote to ceramic coat a Yoshi pipe that i picked up for about $140. That's not too bad but it's the shipping that will run the price up. If you live close to an outfit that will do this, then it's the way to go.
 
Are those like the stock pipes, double walled? If so Id say no way on fixing them. Plus those 2 bad ones have the metal creased. Hard to to fix that. What you could do if these arent effecting the performance by restricting the flow, is by having a patch welded over those areas and feather the repair out to look as if it didnt exist. And if youre looking for a good coating that will look like it did when newer and aid in performance, look at the Tech line products.
 
Have you tried a small body shop? Or maybe a car small dent repair guy (Dent Doctor). Both of these would at least have the tools to get the job done if they would be willing to work on it.
 
I worked some header dents out by plugging the ends and pressurizing the inside with compressed air while heating the dented areas with a torch. It requires a careful touch and try to use a low air pressure or you can blow holes in the metal. Using this technique will get the worst of the dents out but the metal will show references - functional but not pretty.
 
Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks for all the great advice! You guys really are as good as I heard. To answer a few questions, yes I tried local exhaust shops, local car repair shops, and local motorcycle shops. All said get new ones or they could try but it wouldn't be worth the cost. I do believe they are the original exhaust headers, the only things supposedly changed were the K&N air filters and a toggle switch for the rear lights (hmmm....why do you think he had that?). Those V&H's look pretty good on ebay, thanks for the link cliff! Now, the sidwinders are the ones where I can keep centerstand and access to the oil drain, right?
 
jhelbig said:
Thanks for all the great advice! You guys really are as good as I heard. To answer a few questions, yes I tried local exhaust shops, local car repair shops, and local motorcycle shops. All said get new ones or they could try but it wouldn't be worth the cost. I do believe they are the original exhaust headers, the only things supposedly changed were the K&N air filters and a toggle switch for the rear lights (hmmm....why do you think he had that?). Those V&H's look pretty good on ebay, thanks for the link cliff! Now, the sidwinders are the ones where I can keep centerstand and access to the oil drain, right?
Click to expand...
Just don't lean too much around right handers. I had a set of those on a KZ900 and dragged them to the point I ground a flat spot.
 
The regular V&H retains the center stand and allows oil filter access.
 
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