Exhaust system question

[challey]

Since the weather in the NE will be somewhat less than ideal for riding for the next few weeks, I’ve decided to send my exhaust pipes off to these guys for coating: http://www.jet-hot.com/motorcycles.html

Before I do, I thought I’d ask a couple of questions before I try to take the exhaust off. I would typically put some penetrating oil on the the clamp bolt as well as the studs (bolts?) holding the pipe to the cylinder head. I’d assume that there is a gasket between the head and the pipe – is this something I’ll need to plan to replace? Can I expect any unusual difficulty getting the exhaust off of the bike?

Also be interested in hearing from anyone who’s gotten the Jet-Hot coating. I’m assuming that the regular silver is a decent color match for the rest of the system.

Charlie

[boxermania]

Charlie

The exhaust should be fairly easy to remove from the heads and no you won't need another gasket. It might be abit more difficult to remove the exhaust pipe(s) from the cat converter, if you are still running one. The clamp can be spread and the exhaust pipe can be rotated side to side slightly to break it loose from the cat.

I have used the Jet-Hot coatings in both cars and bikes. The last one being my R1150R which I had it coated blue.....not a good choice and washed out. They re-did the coating in silver, which is the one that I have used before. Mind you it's not shanny as a mirror and it will dull a bit after use, but it doesn't come off, keeps the heat inside and cools of inside of 5 minutes after a ride.

I have also tried the black, which is like a matte on my Suzuki Bandit (all blacked out). Had the silver on a set of Porsche headers and a set of headers for a Dodge turbo truck.

They will make good if it comes off.......good luck.

[owldaddy]

I have had the silver coating put on mine as well, mine also dulled after some use at the part of the pipe close to the exhaust port, but it looks better then without, the heat at the exhaust port is very high, I think that is what causes the silver to lose some of its sheen because further down the pipe it stays shiny. I would be interested to see if it had dulled as much if I had installed the Techlusion before coating the pipes. I'm sure the bike runs a little cooler with the added fuel the Techlusion meters in. I have had no trouble with the coating coming off, I would do it again.
Don

[towerworker]

Charlie

I pulled my exhaust last winter to do some thorough cleaning. Was not that difficult. Loosen everything from both headers back to the cat. I sprayed WD40 on the head bolts prior to working on them. You have to pull evenly from side to side or it binds up. I also put a small binder from the center stand to the front wheel to keep it from rocking off the center stand when I was pulling on it. I just took my time and pulled on one side a little and then moved to the other. Back and forth till it all pulled free.

Wayne

[challey]

Thanks to all for the replies.

Hope to get to this project over the weekend but need the weather to co-operate just a little bit - meaning above freezing - since I don't have a garage.

Charlie

[MattPie]

Thanks to all for the replies.

Hope to get to this project over the weekend but need the weather to co-operate just a little bit - meaning above freezing - since I don't have a garage.

Charlie

Charlie,

I ended up 'needing' a mallet to get mine apart (you may remember the posts on pac list in the fall). I bought a dead blow hammer from Lowes and was pretty gentle with it and I had them off in a few minutes. You're welcome to borrow mine, since we're local (home Coatesville, work KoP).

[challey]

Thanks for the offer Matt.

I do remember the Mac-Pac string on this and was going to ping you off line. I have a medium-sized rubber mallet that I can use - but hopefully won't need.

Charlie

[challey]

I'm looking for some help from those who've had their exhaust headers ceramic coated. Mine were sent out a week or so ago and are now ready to be picked up. I'd like to get things bolted back on to ride this weekend (assuming the weather cooperates).

There is no gasket where the header mates to the engine. I assume that surface of the header (where it contacts the engine block) will be ceramic coated - will this be an issue in getting a good seal? Do I need to try and remove the coating (or did I mess up by not asking them to mask that area)?

Also, does anyone know what the torque values are for the nuts that secure the headers to the studs? I actually don't have a torque wrench but knowing the value gives me some idea of how snug I should make things.

Any other suggestions you have on putting things back together would also be appreciated.

Charlie

[Byrdguy]

Mine has a thin sheet metal type gasket where the headers go into the head port. The problem I had remounting the system after jet coating was that the coating has enough thickness to make fitting one pipe inside another difficult. some light sanding inside the pipes may be helpful along with some WD 40. Just cinch the header nuts down good and tight. Check the tightness again after running for a while. I never use a torque wrench unless I'm building an engine.

[challey]

Byrdguy said:

The problem I had remounting the system after jet coating was that the coating has enough thickness to make fitting one pipe inside another difficult.

You wasn't lyin'.

I picked up the pipes today and can't even get the balance tube pipe to fit. Looks like I have bit of work ahead of me, either with some sandpaper or perhaps a a small brass rotary wire brush.

The pipes look good though.

Charlie

[snowprick]

Also, does anyone know what the torque values are for the nuts that secure the headers to the studs? I actually don't have a torque wrench but knowing the value gives me some idea of how snug I should make things.

Charlie

21Nm or 15.5 F.lb