Black Thunderheader X-Series Guys...
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: N.E.Ohio
Black Thunderheader X-Series Guys...
For you guys with this pipe, I have a question. Just received my Thunderheader x-series in black yesterday. When I opened the package to check it's contents, I found all black powder-coated parts...except the head pipe, it was chrome. Now, I called the company I purchased it from and requested to send the head pipe back and get the black head pipe sent to me. The guy called me back an hour later and said he talked to thunderheader and that this is how it should be (he said thunderheader does this to save the customer money as powder-coating costs more and the "full coverage heat shields" will cover the head pipe anyway? Now, that said, I have had black thunderheader pipes before and my head pipes sure weren't chrome, and the heat shields did not completely cover the pipes. I really can't bring myself to believe this...so whats the deal?
On a side note, I have had nothing but trouble with this distributor. I will not say their name until my suspicions are confirmed.
On a side note, I have had nothing but trouble with this distributor. I will not say their name until my suspicions are confirmed.
Last edited by HotelDelta; Jun 18, 2011 at 08:20 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 26
I too have had a black TH and the head pipe was coated black. Did you pay extra for the heat shields or do they come standard with X series? If they come with the pipe I could see TH doing this. The standard TH doesnt come with heat shields so they have to coat head pipe black. Rich Products can be hard to deal with. They are not real big on customer service and I know a couple of indys that hate dealing with them. Check the heat shields and see if they are full coverage. Good luck getting this resolved, It may be easier sending the head pipe in for HTC. it will be 100 times better than the TH coating. Let us know how you like that pipe when you get it installed. Not much love for the TH on this site..;-) Its my personal favorite
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 71
Had my TH X series for a few weeks and its chrome but zero issues. Your distributor should be the one you deal with as you bought the pipe through him . As for Rich Products being unfriendly like go to TH- FB page and them know your issue and that your posting on this forum.
You will get a response, this economy is effecting everyone and customer service will make or break ya...
You will get a response, this economy is effecting everyone and customer service will make or break ya...
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: N.E.Ohio
Pittz, yes, the heat shields come with the x-series. I haven't completely unwrapped the head pipe and tried the heat shields yet, but this isn't my first rodeo. I know darn well there is no such thing as a "full coverage" heat shield. The save people money excuse really made me laugh the more I thought about it. I mean, come on man, I am paying more for the black pipe anyway. I have loved all my previous thunderheader pipes, but if this current set up is correct I am going to be severely disappointed.
Nick, I am not worried about any issues with the pipe, more so the look. Why would they send all black parts, yet a chrome head pipe? IMO, it will look stupid. Also, I did make a call to the distributor I bought it from. They told me they contacted thunderheader about my problem and thunderheader told them this is how it should be. That said, I don't know that I trust this distributor because they have been terrible to deal with and completely unreliable up to this point. I will NOT ever use them again, regardless of their good pricing.
Nick, I am not worried about any issues with the pipe, more so the look. Why would they send all black parts, yet a chrome head pipe? IMO, it will look stupid. Also, I did make a call to the distributor I bought it from. They told me they contacted thunderheader about my problem and thunderheader told them this is how it should be. That said, I don't know that I trust this distributor because they have been terrible to deal with and completely unreliable up to this point. I will NOT ever use them again, regardless of their good pricing.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 71
Pittz, yes, the heat shields come with the x-series. I haven't completely unwrapped the head pipe and tried the heat shields yet, but this isn't my first rodeo. I know darn well there is no such thing as a "full coverage" heat shield. The save people money excuse really made me laugh the more I thought about it. I mean, come on man, I am paying more for the black pipe anyway. I have loved all my previous thunderheader pipes, but if this current set up is correct I am going to be severely disappointed.
Nick, I am not worried about any issues with the pipe, more so the look. Why would they send all black parts, yet a chrome head pipe? IMO, it will look stupid. Also, I did make a call to the distributor I bought it from. They told me they contacted thunderheader about my problem and thunderheader told them this is how it should be. That said, I don't know that I trust this distributor because they have been terrible to deal with and completely unreliable up to this point. I will NOT ever use them again, regardless of their good pricing.
Nick, I am not worried about any issues with the pipe, more so the look. Why would they send all black parts, yet a chrome head pipe? IMO, it will look stupid. Also, I did make a call to the distributor I bought it from. They told me they contacted thunderheader about my problem and thunderheader told them this is how it should be. That said, I don't know that I trust this distributor because they have been terrible to deal with and completely unreliable up to this point. I will NOT ever use them again, regardless of their good pricing.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: NH
Thanks
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: N.E.Ohio
Thought I would update you guys. I talked to Thunderheader/Rich today and they confirmed that the chrome head pipe I received with my "black" x-series setup is in fact correct. Don't ask me why you would advertise a black pipe then send a chrome one and say 'oh the heat shields are what make it black'....anyway I have been a long time thunderheader fan and have used their pipes quite a few times before. Therefore, I am going to stick with the pipe, however I will probably have the head pipe powder coated black. I am disappointed that I will have to spend even more money to get what I technically already paid for (black is extra then chrome...go figure right). I am even considering flat black engine paint for the head pipe, at least that way it won't be chrome behind the black heat shields and my bike is flat black anyway. I welcome any suggestions you guys might have.
Also if anyone knows a quality and reasonable powder-coater in NE ohio I would appreciate their info. Thanks guys I will update once I get the pipe on my bike and re-map my power commander.
Also if anyone knows a quality and reasonable powder-coater in NE ohio I would appreciate their info. Thanks guys I will update once I get the pipe on my bike and re-map my power commander.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
From: Oregon Ohio
Thought I would update you guys. I talked to Thunderheader/Rich today and they confirmed that the chrome head pipe I received with my "black" x-series setup is in fact correct. Don't ask me why you would advertise a black pipe then send a chrome one and say 'oh the heat shields are what make it black'....anyway I have been a long time thunderheader fan and have used their pipes quite a few times before. Therefore, I am going to stick with the pipe, however I will probably have the head pipe powder coated black. I am disappointed that I will have to spend even more money to get what I technically already paid for (black is extra then chrome...go figure right). I am even considering flat black engine paint for the head pipe, at least that way it won't be chrome behind the black heat shields and my bike is flat black anyway. I welcome any suggestions you guys might have.
Also if anyone knows a quality and reasonable powder-coater in NE ohio I would appreciate their info. Thanks guys I will update once I get the pipe on my bike and re-map my power commander.
Also if anyone knows a quality and reasonable powder-coater in NE ohio I would appreciate their info. Thanks guys I will update once I get the pipe on my bike and re-map my power commander.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: N.E.Ohio
Well, I finished installing the thunderheader. Tweeked the pcv a bit and it sounds good. I will have to take her for a long ride tomorrow to really see how performance is. I did notice something strange, hopefully some of you others with the x series will have some input. I am almost 100% positive I have no exhaust leak at either exhaust port, however, the 18mm O2 bungs that are about 3 or 4 inches from the ports were smoking pretty good even with the plug bolts in tightly. Before I put the header on I noticed that the bolts had a descent amount of anti-seize on them from factory so I just snugged them up real good and performed my install.
Could this smoke be from burning anti-seize??
The only other possibility I could think of is there are poor welds on these bungs (smoke is seeping from both head pipes)??
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 25
From: NorCal
No torque dip, at least on my friend's 124. That pipe roars for sure!