Thunderheader wrap...Can't make up my mind!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver, BC
Thunderheader wrap...Can't make up my mind!
Hey guys,
I picked up a black thunderheader exhaust off a buddy for a pretty good price...I think?
There's no heat shields and it's been re sprayed but it's sort of more grey than it is black. I really like the all black look. I've got a set of 12" T-bars getting put on as well and I'm saving up for a rifle roadster with either 15" or 18" shield. (Just so you get a sense of the direction I'm headed)
The guy doing the exhaust says without the shields I'm going to burn my boots, jeans, leg etc. so I need a wrap. He's told me that any black wraps lose colour really quick and the titanium stays pretty well the same. I'm not sure if I like the titanium with an all black bike. It's shiny black. Anyone have pictures or care to weight in. I never LOVED the look of the wrap but I've seen a few really good jobs...just not on 'club style' bikes.
My other thought was to use BBQ paint to get them blacked out but I'm still worried about frying my leg.
Thoughts?
I picked up a black thunderheader exhaust off a buddy for a pretty good price...I think?
There's no heat shields and it's been re sprayed but it's sort of more grey than it is black. I really like the all black look. I've got a set of 12" T-bars getting put on as well and I'm saving up for a rifle roadster with either 15" or 18" shield. (Just so you get a sense of the direction I'm headed)
The guy doing the exhaust says without the shields I'm going to burn my boots, jeans, leg etc. so I need a wrap. He's told me that any black wraps lose colour really quick and the titanium stays pretty well the same. I'm not sure if I like the titanium with an all black bike. It's shiny black. Anyone have pictures or care to weight in. I never LOVED the look of the wrap but I've seen a few really good jobs...just not on 'club style' bikes.
My other thought was to use BBQ paint to get them blacked out but I'm still worried about frying my leg.
Thoughts?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver, BC
My other option is just to buy the heat shields (top two, I think). Can they be installed without removing the pipe? Or do I need to remove it, install them and then have the pipe re-installed?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 837
Likes: 8
From: Wyoming
As Deadhead77 wrote, after you wrap the pipes, you spray paint them. You can use either VHT paint or the Silicone paint the DEI (a company that sells the wrap) sells. After time, the paint may fade a bit over the hottest parts of the pipe and then you just spray some more paint on the faded parts. The paint helps keep the heat in, keeps it looking nicer, and keeps moisture from soaking down to the metal. Here's a picture showing my wrapped Thunderheader that has been sprayed...
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 15
From: Bay area, CA
Just out of curiosity have any of you guys pulled the wrap off a header with around 20-30k miles? I'm not knocking anything so please don't take it that way, I've just always been worried that the wrap will rot a pipe faster.
To the OP, if your worried about burning your pants get a couple heat shields for the pipe, your going to have a hard time keeping that pipe black, BBQ paint isn't goint to hold up, it'll burn up the first time you ride it. If you want to spend the money on high temp powder coat, then with a good tune, it should stay black. But that's expensive... This is one big reason I have a hard time recommending a thunderheader to people, don't get me wrong, I like mine but that thing runs hot
To the OP, if your worried about burning your pants get a couple heat shields for the pipe, your going to have a hard time keeping that pipe black, BBQ paint isn't goint to hold up, it'll burn up the first time you ride it. If you want to spend the money on high temp powder coat, then with a good tune, it should stay black. But that's expensive... This is one big reason I have a hard time recommending a thunderheader to people, don't get me wrong, I like mine but that thing runs hot
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 492
From: Northern CA
I think wrap gives the bike a racy, industrial look, and flows real well on some bikes.
Last edited by fskitch; Jan 31, 2015 at 03:31 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Whittier ca
I used some BBQ paint I got from Home Depot the glass type and maybe I did not do enough sanding or maybe not enough coats but after a week it started cracking chipping and losing its color towards the hottest part I think I will ceramic coat them soon. on another note I have never used heat shield or header wrap on my thunder header yes it does get hot but it is not a deal breaker I have never hurt myself or anyone else by running it bare
I do like the look of the wrapped pupe on a lot of bikes tho. Spray it with bbq paint after being wrapped.
But ceramic is the way to go. It lowers the temp so u wont burn ur self as much but the high temp powder gets u that gloss looK. Depends on what u want.
I do like the look of the wrapped pupe on a lot of bikes tho. Spray it with bbq paint after being wrapped.
But ceramic is the way to go. It lowers the temp so u wont burn ur self as much but the high temp powder gets u that gloss looK. Depends on what u want.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,580
Likes: 215
From: Illinois
Black or the bronze wrap is what I would do....most likely would be the bronze(think it looks killer).
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careful wrapping TH they been known to crack, th run super hot then wrapping them oh man
i gotta find the picture i saw on instagram but dude was stranded because massive blowout on his pipe from the wrap
i gotta find the picture i saw on instagram but dude was stranded because massive blowout on his pipe from the wrap
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver, BC
As Deadhead77 wrote, after you wrap the pipes, you spray paint them. You can use either VHT paint or the Silicone paint the DEI (a company that sells the wrap) sells. After time, the paint may fade a bit over the hottest parts of the pipe and then you just spray some more paint on the faded parts. The paint helps keep the heat in, keeps it looking nicer, and keeps moisture from soaking down to the metal. Here's a picture showing my wrapped Thunderheader that has been sprayed...
What bars are you running? I just got the Drag Specialties 12" Buffalo T-Bars...same?