Just curious.........will the stock heat shields still fit if I wrap the pipes in heat wrap? ----(09 Road King Classic)

I am sure someone has done it so your experience and tips if it worked or not would be helpful. Maybe I need to cut the wrap away at the clamps????????

 

Why wrap the pipes if your using heat shields? I have read the pipe wraps are a bad idea, they do not let the pipes cool down enough.

 

u can use the heatsheild clamps to hold down the ends of the wrap,but....heat wrap will hold moisture and rot the head pipe pretty fast,i wrapped the crossover on my 07 it rusted in less than 2 years.

 

the "performance concept" is this:

if hot exhaust gasses cool in the exhaust system, they contract as they cool- that also causes the gasses to slow.
By wrapping a pipe ( or a ceramic coating) the gasses stay hotter longer, and retain velocity in the exhaust tract- which is good.
This is a real and valid concept for racing.


wrap was awesome cool "olde skool" hot rat rod fakey look 7 years ago.
It usually conceals sloppy welds, dents or bad work.
wrap is often uneven and looks crap.

and it may hold moisture and rust headers if left wet- it can trap condensation.

so if you are racing or hiding bad pipes, wrap is the way to go.

other wise leave well enough alone

OP, the shields will fit over wrap, it's up to you to get it on not too thick.
for the most part the shields are held on by large "hose clamps"

mike

 

Here's the trick. Get the wrap wet by soaking in water, stretch it tight while applying, and when it heats up, it shrinks making it super tight. If you do like I do and start the bike after a wash and let it heat up, I don't think rust should be an issue...

 

It fits under my shields. They haven't rusted off yet but I don't live in damp climate. Helps keeping my leg from cooking.

 

Good to know, thanks for the warning

 

Thanks Mike for the details........just looking for a way to stop all the heat I get from my 09 King Classic.....Never had that problem with my Fatboy

 

Exactly what i looking for but didn't know if it worked

 

thanks buddy.....