Black Thunderheader Exhaust Question...
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,645
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From: Missouri City,TX
Black Thunderheader Exhaust Question...
For those of you running this exhaust...since the black exhaust is ceramic coated, is it ok to NOT have an exhaust shield on the header pipes?
I was always under the impression that ceramic coating dissipates heat...
I like my sideshots, but thinkin' about making a few changes on my ride.
Your input is appreciated.
I was always under the impression that ceramic coating dissipates heat...
I like my sideshots, but thinkin' about making a few changes on my ride.
Your input is appreciated.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
The ceramic coating on Thunderheaders does little if anything
to dissipate heat.The reason you see so many running black Thunderheaders without heat shields is that Thunderheaders heat shields are expensive and not very well made.Part of the design that makes them work so well also throws a bunch of heat on your right leg.The way the rear cylinder head pipe snakes around gets the head pipes to almost equal length which is good for performance, not so good for your leg.In short if you can afford the heat shields I say get them.Notice the heavy duty wrap job on mine, it helps but probably not as much as shields would.
to dissipate heat.The reason you see so many running black Thunderheaders without heat shields is that Thunderheaders heat shields are expensive and not very well made.Part of the design that makes them work so well also throws a bunch of heat on your right leg.The way the rear cylinder head pipe snakes around gets the head pipes to almost equal length which is good for performance, not so good for your leg.In short if you can afford the heat shields I say get them.Notice the heavy duty wrap job on mine, it helps but probably not as much as shields would.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
I'd have to say that most (not all) of the black thunderheaders you see on the site are just hi-temp black rattlecan that they did themselves. I'm sure there are a few that have the actual black ceramic coating but that isn't going to keep the pipe cold enough not to burn you. Even with heat wrap it still gets hot enough to burn you...from what I've read on the site.
On a side note, my girl called me from work yesterday to say she got her tax refund already and she forced me to order my set of TH....She said "you do a lot for me and my son and I want to do something for you." I've been wanting them since I was introduced to them back during MB bike week '08. They were on an early 2000's fatboy. Wow....is all I can say.
On a side note, my girl called me from work yesterday to say she got her tax refund already and she forced me to order my set of TH....She said "you do a lot for me and my son and I want to do something for you." I've been wanting them since I was introduced to them back during MB bike week '08. They were on an early 2000's fatboy. Wow....is all I can say.
Last edited by SC-Longhair; Jan 21, 2009 at 09:01 AM.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,645
Likes: 4,883
From: Missouri City,TX
The ceramic coating on Thunderheaders does little if anything
to dissipate heat.The reason you see so many running black Thunderheaders without heat shields is that Thunderheaders heat shields are expensive and not very well made.Part of the design that makes them work so well also throws a bunch of heat on your right leg.The way the rear cylinder head pipe snakes around gets the head pipes to almost equal length which is good for performance, not so good for your leg.In short if you can afford the heat shields I say get them.Notice the heavy duty wrap job on mine, it helps but probably not as much as shields would.
to dissipate heat.The reason you see so many running black Thunderheaders without heat shields is that Thunderheaders heat shields are expensive and not very well made.Part of the design that makes them work so well also throws a bunch of heat on your right leg.The way the rear cylinder head pipe snakes around gets the head pipes to almost equal length which is good for performance, not so good for your leg.In short if you can afford the heat shields I say get them.Notice the heavy duty wrap job on mine, it helps but probably not as much as shields would.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 34
From: West Palm Beach, Florida
Ok, this will help a bunch. Here is my experience.
I have my pipes heat wrapped, AND the front heat shields, and on hot days, my leg still gets burnt. BUT, I do have forward controls, so the inside of my calf is a lot closer to the pipe then your leg would be on mid controls. And, when its hot out, my girl does complain a bit of her right foot getting pretty hot from the pipe since I don't have the middle heat shield on. But its bearable she says. I would strongly suggest you get the heat shields. It will be money well spent. I ran my Bassani road rage without heat shields, and they were black, and well, I literally got a light degree of burn marks on my right leg. It was terrible. These pipes get pretty damn hot. I'd suggest taking that into consideration. My pipes are rattle canned painted as well.. Gotta love it! Started out chrome, and blacked them out for cheap!
Good luck on your decision.. Do you not like those side shots? I think they look GREAT on your bike. I think those are one of my favorite pipes for Dyna's.
I have my pipes heat wrapped, AND the front heat shields, and on hot days, my leg still gets burnt. BUT, I do have forward controls, so the inside of my calf is a lot closer to the pipe then your leg would be on mid controls. And, when its hot out, my girl does complain a bit of her right foot getting pretty hot from the pipe since I don't have the middle heat shield on. But its bearable she says. I would strongly suggest you get the heat shields. It will be money well spent. I ran my Bassani road rage without heat shields, and they were black, and well, I literally got a light degree of burn marks on my right leg. It was terrible. These pipes get pretty damn hot. I'd suggest taking that into consideration. My pipes are rattle canned painted as well.. Gotta love it! Started out chrome, and blacked them out for cheap!
Good luck on your decision.. Do you not like those side shots? I think they look GREAT on your bike. I think those are one of my favorite pipes for Dyna's.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,645
Likes: 4,883
From: Missouri City,TX
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Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,645
Likes: 4,883
From: Missouri City,TX
Ok, this will help a bunch. Here is my experience.
I have my pipes heat wrapped, AND the front heat shields, and on hot days, my leg still gets burnt. BUT, I do have forward controls, so the inside of my calf is a lot closer to the pipe then your leg would be on mid controls. And, when its hot out, my girl does complain a bit of her right foot getting pretty hot from the pipe since I don't have the middle heat shield on. But its bearable she says. I would strongly suggest you get the heat shields. It will be money well spent. I ran my Bassani road rage without heat shields, and they were black, and well, I literally got a light degree of burn marks on my right leg. It was terrible. These pipes get pretty damn hot. I'd suggest taking that into consideration. My pipes are rattle canned painted as well.. Gotta love it! Started out chrome, and blacked them out for cheap!
Good luck on your decision.. Do you not like those side shots? I think they look GREAT on your bike. I think those are one of my favorite pipes for Dyna's.
I have my pipes heat wrapped, AND the front heat shields, and on hot days, my leg still gets burnt. BUT, I do have forward controls, so the inside of my calf is a lot closer to the pipe then your leg would be on mid controls. And, when its hot out, my girl does complain a bit of her right foot getting pretty hot from the pipe since I don't have the middle heat shield on. But its bearable she says. I would strongly suggest you get the heat shields. It will be money well spent. I ran my Bassani road rage without heat shields, and they were black, and well, I literally got a light degree of burn marks on my right leg. It was terrible. These pipes get pretty damn hot. I'd suggest taking that into consideration. My pipes are rattle canned painted as well.. Gotta love it! Started out chrome, and blacked them out for cheap!
Good luck on your decision.. Do you not like those side shots? I think they look GREAT on your bike. I think those are one of my favorite pipes for Dyna's.
I'll most likely just leave the bike as it is and quit throwin' $$$ at it, but that's part of the fun in making it better.
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Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,645
Likes: 4,883
From: Missouri City,TX
Thanks for the kudos...I don't ride two up and don't have rear passanger pegs installed, but there are other Dynas with this set up that might ride two up, maybe they'll chime in for ya'.