Pipes glowing cherry red???
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 181
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From:
RE: Pipes glowing cherry red???
10-4 on no big deal. The key to your description of the "issue" is how long you left it in warm up mode. Fuel mixture at warm up in cold environment is rich even with FI. Depending upon how long the bike sat while warming up with a rich fuel mixture would be the determining factor on if the pipe reached the glowing temperature.
THe early air cooled BMW's like the R69 were famous for glowing the pipes at the head if left to idle to long at start up. No doubt that certain light conditions will make you noitce the pipes glowing as well. For sure glowing pipes at the head is a sure sign to mount the beast and go ride and let the "air cool" portion of the design start to work. I think your fine and if it is a timing issue as suggested, which it could be, the bike would also have some driveability issues to go along with the glowing pipes.
THe early air cooled BMW's like the R69 were famous for glowing the pipes at the head if left to idle to long at start up. No doubt that certain light conditions will make you noitce the pipes glowing as well. For sure glowing pipes at the head is a sure sign to mount the beast and go ride and let the "air cool" portion of the design start to work. I think your fine and if it is a timing issue as suggested, which it could be, the bike would also have some driveability issues to go along with the glowing pipes.
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Conroe
RE: Pipes glowing cherry red???
i let it warm up for about 5 mins if that , just long enought to get my glasses and lid on and thats when i noticed the glow, but after 5000 miles with all upgrades i never noticed....as with running issuses my bike does not pop spit or sputter at all, no back popping of any kind what so ever....thanks peeps....
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 423
Likes: 5
From: Sunshine state.
RE: Pipes glowing cherry red???
ORIGINAL: Sporty07
i found out, from local mechanic that it is normal for pipes to get like that esp. at the head, now if it was further down pipe then i would have a problem, but he told me not to worry
i found out, from local mechanic that it is normal for pipes to get like that esp. at the head, now if it was further down pipe then i would have a problem, but he told me not to worry
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
RE: Pipes glowing cherry red???
I have been riding and working on motorcycles for over thirty years and have not seen a red hot glowing exhaust pipe, there's definately a problem, in particular if you've noticed this while just "warming up". If your pipe is glowing then the top of your piston is glowing which could result in scorched cylinder bores or worse piston crown collapse due to extreme temp in the upper cylinder, burnt valves etc. This type of overheating will cause the oil to breakdown, darken and smell "burnt" - have you noticed this.
Causes include,ignition timing faulty (may even be crank shaft sensor or simular electronic problem), gas mixture problems or exhaust restriction(heat not being drawn away from the cylinder head properly).
Despite what the mechanic told you my advise would be to get the bike properly checked out before the problem becomes more serious.
Incidently, salesmen will tell you anything, there are a few that care, but not that many.
Causes include,ignition timing faulty (may even be crank shaft sensor or simular electronic problem), gas mixture problems or exhaust restriction(heat not being drawn away from the cylinder head properly).
Despite what the mechanic told you my advise would be to get the bike properly checked out before the problem becomes more serious.
Incidently, salesmen will tell you anything, there are a few that care, but not that many.
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Conroe
RE: Pipes glowing cherry red???
i talked to some riding bros of mine and a trustworthy wrench and they said its is nothing to worry about, it does happen and there is no noise in the top and no smoke out the pipes, all is ok....they said most peeps never even look and notice their pipes by the heads and see the red....
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands, TX
RE: Pipes glowing cherry red???
Not trying to argue, but I agree with Tropical Andy, I live in Houston where its 90 degrees most of the year and have never seen my pipes turn red, even while idling.
How long was idling? from your description it didn't seem like a long time...if it doesn't bother you leave it alone
How long was idling? from your description it didn't seem like a long time...if it doesn't bother you leave it alone
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 976
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Pipes glowing cherry red???
Yes, No.... No, Yes... I'm confused as you are! Carbon build-up on the inside of the pipes near the cyls... Happens and creates an inferno.. Your pipes make a sharp bend right from the get-go and that bend captures most of the escaping hot gas and fire. A lean setup or just overusing the enricher means lots more unburnt (poorly burnt fuel) causing excessive build up of carbon on the interior walls of the exhaust pipes at the elbow bends. People who haven't seen their pipes glowing are probably not having the carbon build up due to the fuel delivery system or non-restricted flow through the pipes.
I would almost be willing to bet however, if everyone were to remove their shields, let the bike set and idle and do a little throttle rocking in a dark area would see there pipes glowing!
Every bike I've ever owned had glowing pipes from my Honda 750, 550 Nighthawk, Triumph 650 Tigar, 94 Sportster, 99 Sportster Custom, 99 Road King, 03 Road King, 03 Sportster XLH 98 Heritage, 99 Sportster XLH. Haven't checked the Ultra yet but I'm sure it will glow also.
Considering all that I guess some people my feel that I have had a batch of bad bikes... ??!!
I would almost be willing to bet however, if everyone were to remove their shields, let the bike set and idle and do a little throttle rocking in a dark area would see there pipes glowing!
Every bike I've ever owned had glowing pipes from my Honda 750, 550 Nighthawk, Triumph 650 Tigar, 94 Sportster, 99 Sportster Custom, 99 Road King, 03 Road King, 03 Sportster XLH 98 Heritage, 99 Sportster XLH. Haven't checked the Ultra yet but I'm sure it will glow also.
Considering all that I guess some people my feel that I have had a batch of bad bikes... ??!!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 22
From: Phoenix, AZ
RE: Pipes glowing cherry red???
Just remembered. The alloy is junk and wall thickness of the pipes is minimal. This adds to the ease to get them to glow compared to a quality set of headders & older stuff from before fuel infection.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,704
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From:
RE: Pipes glowing cherry red???
you know, how long did you let it idle. I let my buddies ride just sit once - after a very short time, it was v-hot. you see, harley's have this air-cooled thing? did it STOP glowing red when you actually rode off? cause the front pipe SHOULD glow hot(ter) cause it has more air to cool it...
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Conroe
RE: Pipes glowing cherry red???
well i cant tell if they glow when riding but i was assured by my mechanic that it is normal and not worry, it was 27 here north of h-town this morn...and they glowed then but i know ther is plenty of air flow when i ride....so i thank yall for your help....