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I noticed my left muffler is turning slightly gold near the connection. I don't know when it started, after I put the PCIII on from Jaime, or after I had it dyno'd. Now I'm pissed! Does that mean that it is running lean on rear cylinder? I'm gonna check that plug and see what it looks like. I have to have the dyno guy fine tune it when I get 1000 miles on the build so hopefully it doesn't get worse. Anything else I can do?
It could mean that the rear cylinder is running lean. Or it could be from the head pipe with your true duals being shorter and allowing more heat to build up in the muffler instead of getting disappated a bit like it does in the extra bit of pipe the right side has.
My right side muffler turned gold years ago with just the stage I and stock headpipes. No big deal.
I have seen pipes turn gold after a set of baffles were put in to add back pressure. The baffles would cause heat to build up.
After I saw GOLD, I just covered mine up - been looking good (like new)for a couple seasons now - never changed slipons/maps/plugs.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Touring Muffler Exhaust Shield Kit These chrome-plated muffler shields extend the Original Equipment exhaust pipe shield to the end of the muffler and will not interfere with end caps. They are perfect for restoring the luster to your Performance Mufflers by covering any scratches or weathering. Kit includes two exhaust shields and related hardware.
Warranty and Caution Information 65829-00
Fits Harley-DavidsonÂŽ Touring Mufflers, Screamin' EagleÂŽ Performance Mufflers and Harley-DavidsonÂŽ Performance Mufflers. These shields are not intended for use on FLSTS models or on One-Piece Performance Mufflers.
MSRP US $134.95
My '03 muffs developeda very slight gold appearance soon after I bought the bike (new and stock).I Replaced the exhaust with a V&H Pro Pipe 2 into 1 and added the PC3 at about 35K miles. I ran a MAP similar to that setup, the V&H muff started turning gold early on. I installed a K&N filter at about 40K and had the bike dynoed at a DynoJet tuning center. The test run showed the bike running very rich so I was very surprised the muff was turning gold. They custom made a map for my bike, now the graph shows slight lean in the lower RPM's but 'normals' out incruising range.That was 3 weeks ago and I notice the muff has a distictly darker gold tone now. I think I'm going to tweak the map myself with my laptop to richen it up a bit in the lower range.
I guess my point is, I think some bikes are just more prone to heat issues and maybe the qaulity of the materials used in the muff manufacturing. I know there are some whose pipes look fine but I can't imagine in my situation why the change in color as it was running very rich on the first mod. Nature of the beast I presume......
I noticed my left muffler is turning slightly gold near the connection. I don't know when it started, after I put the PCIII on from Jaime, or after I had it dyno'd. Now I'm pissed! Does that mean that it is running lean on rear cylinder? I'm gonna check that plug and see what it looks like. I have to have the dyno guy fine tune it when I get 1000 miles on the build so hopefully it doesn't get worse. Anything else I can do?
Sure, let me have the scoot for the next 5 yrs. That way you won't have to worry or see the pipe change color. It sure won't bother me.
Probably nothing to worry about. The only chrome I've ever seen that won't blue is on D&D pipes & slip-ons. Don't know what's different about them, but they just don't. If they do... they get replaced by D&D.
Thanks guys. If it gets any worse I'll cover them up with those shields dchoran posted. Right now you really can't notice it that bad because it is on the left side and kind of hidden.
Do Honda's have chrome? Thought they were made of plastic? lol My pipes get gold and then blue. I just use blue job when it happens and it always comes out great. As you can see, it is time to do it again.
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