muffler coloring?
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 855
Likes: 14
From: thomson, il
muffler coloring?
yesterday a guy i work with pointed out that my bike was doing the same thing as his... i asked what? that the muffler is yellowing and coloring about a foot or so from the exhaust (open) end.
doesn't bother how the bike runs but it is starting to look odd.. have little over 8xxx miles on a 2010 sg. and i like the stocker as it's noticeably more quiet than my 70 xlch boattail with drag pipes.
i can only imagine it's going to get worse. i figure it's just another sign of being ridden. so i was wondering if it happens to all the new bikes with the cat?
doesn't bother how the bike runs but it is starting to look odd.. have little over 8xxx miles on a 2010 sg. and i like the stocker as it's noticeably more quiet than my 70 xlch boattail with drag pipes.
i can only imagine it's going to get worse. i figure it's just another sign of being ridden. so i was wondering if it happens to all the new bikes with the cat?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 5
From: North Texas
My limited did the same thing last summer.. Suckers just run too Hot..... My right side yellowed about 8 inches from the muffler tip and started moving forward, chrome cover over the cat started to yellow, and front of muffler where it balloons out began to blue.
After Hot Springs rally last year that crap came off, went with Power Duals, Monster Rounds, A/C and canned MA on PCV.... No more worries..
I remember some guys last year claimed they had the mufflers changed out on warranty from the dealer, but Why? I'm sure they did the same thing.... Its the heat....
Ride On.....
After Hot Springs rally last year that crap came off, went with Power Duals, Monster Rounds, A/C and canned MA on PCV.... No more worries..
I remember some guys last year claimed they had the mufflers changed out on warranty from the dealer, but Why? I'm sure they did the same thing.... Its the heat....
Ride On.....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
It basically happens to all exhausts, except anything with double wall construction with an air gap in between. The coloring is the result of the chemical reaction between the oxygen in the air and the mufller housing as it aproaches the critical temperature of the material the muffler is made out of, and/or its chrome plating. It will continue to change colors over time from yellow,gold,blue,purple, depending on the base metal composition, the chrome process and quality of chemicals used, and how hot it gets.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 855
Likes: 14
From: thomson, il
so it's basically a crummy chrome job? doesn't really bother anything as far as i can see... not really any point of changing it out if it's just gonna happen again i guess.
what made me question it was it's traveling backwards on the exhaust.. kinda figured it'd come from the front of the muffler back.. i know my head pipes are colored just didn't think the muffler behind the cat should be.
thanks for the replies
what made me question it was it's traveling backwards on the exhaust.. kinda figured it'd come from the front of the muffler back.. i know my head pipes are colored just didn't think the muffler behind the cat should be.
thanks for the replies
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
so it's basically a crummy chrome job? doesn't really bother anything as far as i can see... not really any point of changing it out if it's just gonna happen again i guess.
what made me question it was it's traveling backwards on the exhaust.. kinda figured it'd come from the front of the muffler back.. i know my head pipes are colored just didn't think the muffler behind the cat should be.
thanks for the replies
what made me question it was it's traveling backwards on the exhaust.. kinda figured it'd come from the front of the muffler back.. i know my head pipes are colored just didn't think the muffler behind the cat should be.
thanks for the replies
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 855
Likes: 14
From: thomson, il
so it's a by product of use... and that i don't have a problem with. hmmm..
wonder if i could ebay it as a "custom aged exhaust with experience" for that broken in hue needed to complete the look wanted for the discriminating motorcycle enthusiast?
wonder if i could ebay it as a "custom aged exhaust with experience" for that broken in hue needed to complete the look wanted for the discriminating motorcycle enthusiast?
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: Northern Colorado
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
Right on, I like your thought process, but I believe HD already claimed the best marketing term "distressed". I think "weathered" and "seasoned" are still up for grabs. I did fail to capture the other big variable which NoCoLoco hit on the head; design and flow charateristics of the muffler itself.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
I had the same problem with one of the mufflers I just pit on my bike. They were used, and the right side was showing some yellow at the throat. A little Simichrome cream took care of it and restored it to like new.