Too cold to ride so I'm working on the exhaust.

[Dads_FJ]

[racerman_27410]

here comes the shine! 


KOokaloo!

[1tinindian]

Keep going.
You'll be like chrome with just a little more effort!
Check my pictures to see how I know.

Leon

[ELIMINATOR]

Header pipes are S/S! Or not, mustn't polish, mustn't polish.

[candieandy]

Whats the process for polishing these pipes. I would love to do that.

[Dads_FJ]

First I use two of these:


On this:


Then I use a scotch bright pad with rubbing compound or what ever I have laying around:


Then back to the bench grinder but I use the buffing wheel.

To get this:




and to get this:
 

[craigo]

Not much different than how I polished my forks.

Looks great there. Did the headers come out golden or did that happen over time?

CraigO

[Dads_FJ]

The gold hue comes after the bike is started and warmed up, otherwise they were like chrome.  I'm pleased with the outcome, really not much work and it gave me something to do during the winter months when I can't ride anyway.

[Dads_FJ]

Or on my TDM:

From this:


To this:


Funny how little 15" of 2" exhaust wrap goes - I overlapped it 1/4" and thought I'd have extra but didn't.  I wish the header tubes were stainless like the FJ or I would have shined them up too.  I'm not sure how long it'll last with bugs-n-rocks-n-stuff hitting it, but it was only $20 for the kit.  I think the Yamaha TRX850 (never sold State Side) uses Stainless dual exhaust, I could always find someone on the otherside of the pond to buy from in the future.

Here they are hanging out together.

[SlowOldGuy]

Have you ever used that exhaust wrap before?  The reason I ask is I've read multiple times that it rots exhausts by trapping mositure.

I have no direct experience, just passing on information.

DavidR.

[Dads_FJ]

No I haven't, but that was one reason I posted this, to get some opinions.  They were rusty and dinged up anyway, so although I'd rather not have them rot out, it won't be the end of the world if they do.  I would think the moisture would evaporate from the heat, but I guess not if it's sealed in.  Have you heard about corrosion on auto-headers or motorcycle?  or maybe it doesn't make a difference.

[Pat Conlon]

Hey David, yes in wet climates, this happens on steel header(s) not so on those bitchen SS tubes......

[SlowOldGuy]

Stainless steel WILL rust.  It's stainLESS, not stainPROOF.

Might not happen while you're riding, but if it gets rained on or washed, that wrap can retain water and "promote" corrosion.  It was designed for racers to keep the heat in the exhaust.  Like so many things designed for racing, it does not work as well in a street environment.

Try a fender extender instead.

DavidR.