exhaust wrap questions...

I was just wondering if any one has any experience with exhaust wrap. I have seen some pics posted of bikes w/ the wrap on it, but I was wondering if you have to change it often? Also, does it hold up to wet weather? And is it worth wrapping my exhaust headers? Pros and cons and any answers to my questions above would be most appreciated!

 

You have to wet it to wrap it so don't worry about that. It is difficult to wrap the first time. You want to really pull it tight. Usually means tired hands and sometimes needing to hold it with pliers. New stuff may be better than old but the old stuff stinks when it gets hot.

 

If I'm not mistaken that yellow framed bike that Kevineleven built had wraped pipes, you might contact him.

 

Hard? No, not really, but it was a bit tedious. I did it in about 2 hrs. alone in my basement. The real pain was getting the exhaust back on the bike in 1 piece without killing the fresh paint, which I still need to touch up. I've only put on about 40 miles since I did 'em, so I don't know about durability or lifespan. I did wrap them while wet, and they have gotton **SOAKED** in one ride, and show no negative effects. I also clearcoated over them, which was suggested somewhere, I figured it'd help them stay put. They do initially smell like crap and smoke a lot, but after the 40 or so miles, I think they have stopped.

 

Another question...
Kevin, why did you do it?
For looks? Is there any physical benefit by using it? I assume the bike would run hotter because of the exhaust gases are unable to be cooled until the reach the mufflers or back of the bike. Does it warm up quicker when you start the engine cold?
Is it used like heat shields to prevent getting burned from the pipes? I've seen it on bikes back a far as I can remember (50+ years) and never did have an answer why it's done.
Would you do it again? Thanks! >PD<

 

PainterD, what I've learned through reading about header wrap (no practical experience yet, so take this with a grain of salt), is that the wrap keeps the exhaust gases hotter while in the exhaust which keeps them moving. If the gasses cool off too quickly, then apparently the exhaust doesn't flow as freely.

Also, I've read that the exhaust wrap does have the added benefit of given you a second or two more of possible contact time prior to screaming like a little girl. ;-)

Hope that helps. I've been doing a lot of looking online about header wrap as well because I plan on going that way with my KZ when (if) I get it running.

 

So, when you wet it to apply it are you wetting some type of adhesive that is coated on the wrap?

 

I did it purely for looks...

There is no adhesive in the wrap (not what i used, anyways). Wetting it lets it "give" a little more and it can be wrapped tighter. It's really a loose mesh/weave, and bolts can be worked through it relatively easy. The benefits are as beardking said, but I really just did it for looks. At full temp, I can grab the pipe for a good 4 seconds. I haven't noticed it warming up any faster.

 

Agreed " Do it For Looks" Wrapping has proven seriously problematic on tube headers in cars. Seems the Headers rot out surprisingly quickly after the wrapping. Some are forced to do it to retain passable underhood temps, which is at least a plausible reason.. others believed that power gains would follow.

 

If you still have the stock exhaust, your header pipes are already wrapped, as they are double-wall pipes until they plug into the collector.

There is some potential performance benefit by keeping the exhaust insulated so the airflow within stays hotter, but you won't see those gains in street use, no matter how hard you may think that you ride.

A larger benefit, particularly with cars, is keeping radiant pipe-heat from adding to the under-hood heat load and/or frying nearby components. Unless they're cooled by lots of airflow, exhaust headers are normally glowing red when the engine is under a sustained load. Turbo systems are more responsive and make a bunch more torque when the header and turbine are insulated. But...the higher temps can shorten header life: a stainless pipe should be OK, but mild-steel might be a problem. Pipe-wrap insulation will quickly turn any Ti exhaust header into crumbles. :x

It's not the greatest idea for a street ridden bike, unless you really like the grunge look: the insulation wrap is a royal pain to keep clean. It will soon look just like the grit-blasted front side of your engine cases.

When riding in enough rain to make decent puddles, you'll have a private little steam bath whenever you come to a halt for a minute or so, until the soggy insulation boils dry. You will fog your visor big-time when this happens if there's not enough breeze to blow the steam away.

 

Whats a visor?

 

He's (Boz) talking about your helmet visor. As in if you wear a full face helmet, get the pipes wet, come to a stop & not very breazy out, the steam will rise, hence your steam bath & fogged visor.

 

Sorry, my sarcasm dosen't translate well in type. I was saying I don't ride with a visor.

 

So your nickname will someday be Scarface?. :wink:

 

I've been called worse.

 

I know what ya mean, It's hard to add tone & deflection when typing :lol:

 

If you're looking for the performance gains that are associated with header wrap, get your exhaust ceramic coated with something like Jet-Hot.

It's tougher, easier to keep clean, and better looking than wrap.

I had the header pipes on my V Star 1100 done in in Jet-Hot black. The pipes are cool to the touch 5 minutes after I shut the bike down. I plan to have the exhausrt on my Seca 550 coated also.

http://jet-hot.com/pages/headercoatings.html

 

Jim_Vess, If you don't mind me asking, what was a ball park cost on getting them coated? & which coating did you go with, 1300?

On another note, Anyone have a clue as to what the avg. temp is on the headers? I have an infrared gun, but right now the bike is on a stand with no forks (replacing seals) & I really do not want to hear how I'm "stinking up the garage/house".

 

...and since the topic is the exhaust, I'd like to jump in here real quick.

Right now, I've got my pipes off; the mufflers and collector are still bolted on. In another thread, I thought RickCoMatic suggested painting the collector, but I'm not sure if that's what he was referring to.

Since people are wrapping and coating the exhaust pipes, I'm wondering

1) Are the stock pipes chromed, or just straight metal? If so,

a) could/should they be sanded/repainted?

2) What about the collector?

 

The stock pipes are chrome plated, the collector I believe, is what Rick was refering to painting, to protect it from rusting!?

I myself wouldn't paint something that has been chromed, because now you have something that has to be maintained.
If the chrome gets ruined then simply get it rechromed, if you can't afford that..... then possibly painting could be an option.

 

Ah. Well, mine certainly don't look like chrome anymore...

 

If you can't make it look chrome....what the heck.
You can have fun trying out new stuff.
I would personally use powder coat. It seems to do well with heat and should be easy to maintain.
Down side is that you dont want to use the oven in the house to bake it on, It'll stink the whole house up and DONT use your wifes oven cause it'll never make food again.

A person could buy a old used oven and put it out in the shop for just such a thing, and then you could throw it in the dump when your done.

 

If you can't make it look chrome....what the heck.
You can have fun trying out new stuff.
I would personally use powder coat. It seems to do well with heat and should be easy to maintain.
Down side is that you dont want to use the oven in the house to bake it on, It'll stink the whole house up and DONT use your wifes oven cause it'll never make food again.

A person could buy a old used oven and put it out in the shop for just such a thing, and then you could throw it in the dump when your done.

 

Sorry for the double post, dot know how I did it.