pipe wrap experiences

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 9, 2014 | 10:13 PM

escalade6103

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: Aug 2013

Posts: 654

Likes: 5

From: oklahoma

pipe wrap experiences

im looking at wrapping my pipes. i live in a pretty hot and dry area so moisture really isnt too big of a deal. for those who have wrapped your pipes, how long have you had it done?
has it affected anything?
did it actually help?
did you put your heat shields over it?
and any other input from your experience with pipe wrap

Jul 9, 2014 | 11:53 PM

SPECIAL ED

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 3,572

Likes: 5

From: Templeton California

The bike in my sig pic I wrapped the pipes 3 times in about 7 years.I learned a bit each time.Biggest lesson is never let it sit wet it'll rust out rapidly. I also learned not to wrap any place that may scrape in a turn or make skid plates for that spot.The last time I wrapped it about twice as thick by using more overlap that helped the most with heat but the lesson there was not to use white or "natural" color wrap it gets dirty too fast.After that I just gave up and bought heat shields they work better anyway.Lately I've been thinking about wrapping a header for use under the heat shields on my limited. I'd do it thinner overlapping about 1/2 the tape or less each time around and stopping at the end of the cat/collector area.I think the heat shields need a little space between them and the pipe to work so if the heat shields are touching the pipe they're just going to conduct heat.The best way to do it I've found is to clamp the pipe in a vise padded with a thick folded up towel to avoid damaging the header.Soak the wrap in a bucket of water to soften it up.Start at the top and secure that with an overlap then secure the bottom with hose clamps,stainless preferably.Don't scrimp on the wrap the more expensive wrap is going to last longer and work better.

Jul 10, 2014 | 09:59 AM

TeamMudd

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 421

Likes: 14

From: Pollock La

I wrapped mine the other week. took all the heat shields off, wrapped the head pipe all the way back to the cat. I wrapped it tight and not quite doubled over each wrap, clamped it with stainless steel clamps (also replaced the stock heat shield clamps with good stainless clamps). i took temps at the top of the heat shield with a temp gun at idle and after a trip down the road(about 20 miles). it wasn't an exact sience measurement, but after the wrap the heat was less. one of the other things is that the ol lady doesn't notice as much heat off the cat. granted it still gets warm, but it dropped the temps a good bit.

Jul 10, 2014 | 10:38 AM

62hdbiker

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 484

Likes: 38

From: DE

I wrapped my Heritage about 10 years ago and my ultra 3 years ago. No problems. I do let it warm up and dry out after washing the bike. I don't put it away wet.

Jul 10, 2014 | 10:57 AM

Hogpro

Former Sponsor

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 10,968

Likes: 54

Wrapped some pipes on my softail. Dragged the pie and it ripped. Eventually took it off and the pipe looked terrible underneath. It is hot and dry where I live as well. I'll never wrap another pipe. It really can just cause more issues than it solves in every way.

The only way I learn is to do something myself no matter what anyone else tells me. My .02.

Jul 10, 2014 | 07:10 PM

escalade6103

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: Aug 2013

Posts: 654

Likes: 5

From: oklahoma

thanks guys

Jul 11, 2014 | 11:53 AM

Florida Swamp Yankee

Road Captain

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 594

Likes: 10

From: Seminole County, FL

I saw wrap advertised in JP Cycled which has optional silicone type spray to seal the wrap with. You can also get stainless steel tyraps from Home Depot, they are cheap, and thin so you can get them under the shields to keep the wrap tight.