| Author | Message | ||
     Jameslaugesen |
Anyone done, or, considered wrapping their headers? Should reduce the heat radiated around the cylinders, and assist in the head reduction ideas being discussed in "Heat management". I've read through a lot of discussions on badwed and other forums; and it seems the concensus is that the stainless steel XB headers can handle the extra heat without problems. A few people are saying "your headers will melt", etc, but those comments all appear to be from people involved in racing, performance shops, etc... I haven't found any first-hand comments of an XB (or any STREET bike) for that matter with header failure. An issue I can think of with the Uly, is for those of us who ride on dirt/offroad. The wrapping may be effected by long term exposure the elements, brushing trees & shrubs, etc. I think I will give it a shot though. After I get through my other thousand things I want to do. (Message edited by jameslaugesen on July 27, 2007) | ||
| Old_mil |
Personally, I think the wrapped headers look ugly as hell and you'd be better off powdercoating them... | ||
| Lorazepam |
I had mine wrapped, and the header cracked. It was covered under warranty, but I will live with the slight difference in temperature to avoid another header replacement. I give header wrap a big thumbs down. | ||
| Pso |
I think Lorazepam's experience is not rare. | ||
| Dgunther |
If you ever get you bike wet, I'd give the header wrap an even bigger thumbs down. It will hold water against the pipes and cause corrosion. I've seen some XBs that had header wrap at one point and it was removed later and the headers looked like hell. Go for ceramic coating (like JetHot) if you really want to do something. | ||
| Aeholton |
Mine have been wrapped for 2 years. Definitely cuts down heat on your right leg. Lorazepam, didn't I read that your header crack from a missing bolt or something? | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
What about coatings like Jet-Hot and HPC? Are these commonly applied to Uly headers? Tipsy | ||
| Lorazepam |
I had a broken header stud, and it probably contributed to the cracking. Tipsy, both are fine, and popular places to have it done. | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
How effective are the coatings (HPC, Jet-Hot, etc) at cutting down on the heat that's radiated from the pipes? Tipsy | ||
| Florida_lime |
Silver is supposed to be the most effective color to use to reduce the heat output. Most people who have done it say it is very noticeable -- I don't recall any actual numbers though. | ||
| Dgunther |
I had the headers on my VFR ceramic coated in the silver compound and it made a pretty big difference in the heat in start and stop traffic. The VFR is a V4 and the front and read pipes came together into a catalytic converter that was located right below my right footpeg. The rear two cylinder pipes were very near my boot as well. Even wearing full height Alpinestars boots, my right calf felt like it was being roasted during the summer. Once I got the headers coated, my foot/leg was much cooler and all I had to deal with was the heat pouring off the side mounted radiators! I can't say how many degrees worth of difference it made, but the headers cooled down much faster, less perceived heat in traffic, and good corrosion protection (those VFR pipes were $$$) was worth the $100 or so I spent to get them coated. | ||
| Al_lighton |
some more info here: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/179639.html#POST612935 | ||
| Hootis29 |
Mine is Jethot coated, and I really like it, noticable difference. Header wrap IMHO ..... NFG |
