Wrapped pipes?
Banned
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Sleepy Hollow, IL
RE: Wrapped pipes?
Point is, if you have strong enough hands and forearms like I do, you can do it dry and avoid the mess. You will get wet f-ing around with the wrap!
I had heard that getting the wrap wet first saveson the itching from the fiberglass, but I found doing it dry is actually less itchy. The water seems to release the fibers a lot easier.
Oh, you'll get the smoke even if you wrap them dry. There's something on the wrap that has to burn off. It usually takes a 15 minute ride or so for it to stop, but be prepared for people to stare at your smoking bike. It's best if you can take a non-stop ride somewhere to let it finish doing it's thing. I got stuck at a bunch of stop lights inhaling that crap. It's not a pretty smell.
Another thing,I used stainless clamps to finish off the ends. You can use them on the starting end too but they're really notnecessary. Not too sure which end is best to start on, but I started at theend nearest the heads.
Got another tip for those of you running black tape like me.Over time the black fades, especially in the hottest spots of the pipes. What I did, because this was my2nd set and learned of this problem on the 1st set, was tospray paint the wrapped sections of the pipes with flat blackhi-temp grill paint. I gave it a couple coats and let it sink into the tape. Once dry you will get residue, powdered paint, on your hands so wear gloves when installing the pipes orbe a man and wash your hands when you're done. The stuff comes off easily.
Over time you may run into some light areas or spots that your leg rubbed off. What's especially cool about using the paint is that you can touch-up the pipes right on your bike (with some masking if necessary).It's a breeze and keeps them looking good. See my pic. Those pipes are 5 months old there...with touch-ups.
You'll thank me on this one.
I had heard that getting the wrap wet first saveson the itching from the fiberglass, but I found doing it dry is actually less itchy. The water seems to release the fibers a lot easier.
Oh, you'll get the smoke even if you wrap them dry. There's something on the wrap that has to burn off. It usually takes a 15 minute ride or so for it to stop, but be prepared for people to stare at your smoking bike. It's best if you can take a non-stop ride somewhere to let it finish doing it's thing. I got stuck at a bunch of stop lights inhaling that crap. It's not a pretty smell.
Another thing,I used stainless clamps to finish off the ends. You can use them on the starting end too but they're really notnecessary. Not too sure which end is best to start on, but I started at theend nearest the heads.
Got another tip for those of you running black tape like me.Over time the black fades, especially in the hottest spots of the pipes. What I did, because this was my2nd set and learned of this problem on the 1st set, was tospray paint the wrapped sections of the pipes with flat blackhi-temp grill paint. I gave it a couple coats and let it sink into the tape. Once dry you will get residue, powdered paint, on your hands so wear gloves when installing the pipes orbe a man and wash your hands when you're done. The stuff comes off easily.
Over time you may run into some light areas or spots that your leg rubbed off. What's especially cool about using the paint is that you can touch-up the pipes right on your bike (with some masking if necessary).It's a breeze and keeps them looking good. See my pic. Those pipes are 5 months old there...with touch-ups.
You'll thank me on this one.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 2
From: central TEXAS
RE: Wrapped pipes?
Heat sheilds werent an option for me.......custom made pipes..........LOLIFE...............
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Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
RE: Wrapped pipes?
Lolife, I love your new ride. Kinda funny, Low Life is the name of my best friend's bike that I recently bought.
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Sleepy Hollow, IL
RE: Wrapped pipes?
Saw this on another thread...
Exhaust Wrap & Heat Protection
Exhaust Wraps: The truth about Wrapping
DEI Technical Article (Issue 1.1)
I can't tell you the number of calls I get from customers who are interested in DEI exhaust wraps but are afraid that the wrap may damage their pipes. Though a credible concern, I'm not sure who started the rumor, but for some people this myth has been inaccurately embedded as common knowledge to many. Wrapping pipes will not damage your pipes.* It will not make the metal brittle or promote any enhanced corrosion. I've yet to see a picture of a header, turbo down pipe, or exhaust pipe that was damaged by wrap as one would think that with all the information and images available on the internet someone would have been able to provide proof of such negative occurrences. I was really shocked after reading several forum threads from the "self-proclaimed know-it-alls" that consistently post replies in response to inquiries from other members citing a story or rumor rather than from personal experience.
THE TRUTH
Basically, every time you start up an engine the exhaust system pipes heat up and undergo an aging process that is so nominal it would take 50+ years to actually see any kind of change in the metals composition. Exhaust wraps do accelerate this ageing process, but even so it could take up to 30+ years to see any real degradation of the metal "AND" even that would be nominal at best! The same applies to ceramic jet coatings so don't let anyone tell you otherwise (that it's better because it doesn't make a difference).
Reference: http://www.1tail.com/sa/c/Exhaust_Wr...Protection.htm
Exhaust Wrap & Heat Protection
Exhaust Wraps: The truth about Wrapping
DEI Technical Article (Issue 1.1)
I can't tell you the number of calls I get from customers who are interested in DEI exhaust wraps but are afraid that the wrap may damage their pipes. Though a credible concern, I'm not sure who started the rumor, but for some people this myth has been inaccurately embedded as common knowledge to many. Wrapping pipes will not damage your pipes.* It will not make the metal brittle or promote any enhanced corrosion. I've yet to see a picture of a header, turbo down pipe, or exhaust pipe that was damaged by wrap as one would think that with all the information and images available on the internet someone would have been able to provide proof of such negative occurrences. I was really shocked after reading several forum threads from the "self-proclaimed know-it-alls" that consistently post replies in response to inquiries from other members citing a story or rumor rather than from personal experience.
THE TRUTH
Basically, every time you start up an engine the exhaust system pipes heat up and undergo an aging process that is so nominal it would take 50+ years to actually see any kind of change in the metals composition. Exhaust wraps do accelerate this ageing process, but even so it could take up to 30+ years to see any real degradation of the metal "AND" even that would be nominal at best! The same applies to ceramic jet coatings so don't let anyone tell you otherwise (that it's better because it doesn't make a difference).
Reference: http://www.1tail.com/sa/c/Exhaust_Wr...Protection.htm
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Wrapped pipes?
I've made my own pipes for my Shovel and two sets for my pan. I mig welded the joints and ground them smooth but they're NOT chrome worthy. The exhaust wrap looks bad *** and covers the not so perfect welds. My latest set of pipes come out right at the exhaust port and acome straight back about 24". Need the protection from heat. These pipes are LOUD on pan and tend to blow blue flames on the wannabee yuppie "bikers", scares the sh*t out of ;em. Very cool.............
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 13
From: Northern UTARD
RE: Wrapped pipes?
I wrapped mine for the looks originally the pipes were chrome and I hated them. Since then I hi-temp powdercoated them but, liked the contrast of the diffrent blacks. After doing it I"d say it does help a little in the heat on the legs thing. When I pulled the wrap off after a year the pipes were just fine looke almost new.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 3
From: Colorado Springs
RE: Wrapped pipes?
Wrapped pipes look really nice on the right bike. I would never think of wrapping pipes on a bagger, V-Rod, or any of those "fancy" bikes (I am not trying slam anyone)
I think they look really nice on mine and I bet a nightster would look SICK.
I think they look really nice on mine and I bet a nightster would look SICK.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 13
From: Northern UTARD
RE: Wrapped pipes?
Hey Beavis do you have mid mounted pegs as well as forward controls?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 1,079
From: Brandon, Mississippi
RE: Wrapped pipes?
Poor Mans Heat shields..... I like the look on the right bike. As for Racecars it was used to keep the heat out of the engine bay. Wrapping them will do nothing for incresed HP.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 365
Likes: 1
From: Rock Ave. & Hardplace St.
RE: Wrapped pipes?
Wrapping your pipes neatly isn't that hard to do if you keep the wrap VERY tight at all times and just go slowly. FWIW I also wet the wrap first and like was mentioned; wear rubber gloves and a long sleeved shirt you can throw away. If you put the shirt full of fiberglass in the wash with other clothes you're in for a bad time. Ask me how I know this....