Blue pipes ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,323
Likes: 3,868
From: Upstate New York
The blue color is the normal result of exposure to heat, and, if you actually ride the bike, blue pipes are inevitable.
The pipes on my bike have been on the bike for 170,000 miles, and not only the pipes, but the muffler have turned a rainbow of yellow, orange, blue and purple hues. Odd thing, I get compliments on the pipes all the time. People ask me how I made them that color, tell me how "cool" they look, and so on. I tell them, "just ride the bike".
My take on "blue pipes" is: learn to embrace the blue. Wear it as a badge of honor, as testimony to the many miles you've traveled.
The pipes on my bike have been on the bike for 170,000 miles, and not only the pipes, but the muffler have turned a rainbow of yellow, orange, blue and purple hues. Odd thing, I get compliments on the pipes all the time. People ask me how I made them that color, tell me how "cool" they look, and so on. I tell them, "just ride the bike".
My take on "blue pipes" is: learn to embrace the blue. Wear it as a badge of honor, as testimony to the many miles you've traveled.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
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From: Farmington ,MS
If you are talking about the pipe itself...the first couple of inches on a single wall pipe are gonna turn blue...if a double wall pipe, or the heat shield is turning blue you have a problem.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,323
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From: Upstate New York
With 104,000 miles on my current motor, I'm using about a 1/2 pint in 2,000/2,500 miles, so I'd say, no, it's not normal for an Evo to use much oil. This will vary depending on ambient temp. and how hard the bike is run.
Is your Evo a head breather or a bottom (crankcase) breather? Some oil will come out the bottom breather if the bike has sat for a long time. It's not unusual to see a bit of oil seepage from the head breather passages during hard running. Is that what you're talking about?
Is your Evo a head breather or a bottom (crankcase) breather? Some oil will come out the bottom breather if the bike has sat for a long time. It's not unusual to see a bit of oil seepage from the head breather passages during hard running. Is that what you're talking about?
Last edited by Uncle G.; Jun 22, 2015 at 10:20 AM.
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Mandeville la
Head breather I just put a quart in the bag yesterday.
1340 with an S&S flywheel and valve job not sure if that would make a difference or not.
She doesn't smoke at all but I have noticed discharge put of the breather and on my pants.
Just normal riding a few trips of over 70 miles but not hard riding. Since the oil was last full.
1340 with an S&S flywheel and valve job not sure if that would make a difference or not.
She doesn't smoke at all but I have noticed discharge put of the breather and on my pants.
Just normal riding a few trips of over 70 miles but not hard riding. Since the oil was last full.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
It is best to keep the oil about a half quart low.
If your breather hose still dumps into the carby, remove it and discharge below the motor, with or without a filter on the end.
Problem solved.
If your breather hose still dumps into the carby, remove it and discharge below the motor, with or without a filter on the end.
Problem solved.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,323
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From: Upstate New York
Depending on the age of the motor, it is possible the rubber "flapper valves" may have hardened from heat and age and need to be replaced. Also, it's not unheard of for the rocker box gaskets to come out of position between the breather chamber and the rest of the rocker box. If this happens, lots of oil can come out the breather, as the breather is open to the rest of the rocker box.
Both of these things happened to me about two year ago. I replaced the rubber valves and installed the latest OEM gaskets. Before, a hard run would soak the right side of the bike. Now, I get no oil in the breather at all (well, nearly none), and I don't have to run the oil level low, either.
Both of these things happened to me about two year ago. I replaced the rubber valves and installed the latest OEM gaskets. Before, a hard run would soak the right side of the bike. Now, I get no oil in the breather at all (well, nearly none), and I don't have to run the oil level low, either.