Cleaning those Gold Header Pipes

[ptfjjj]

I think the products are likely very similar, so I would have gone for the 90% discount as well. Glad it worked out. If it's not too much trouble, please post pictures of results.

 

[waterlootenere]

The exhaust pipes/mufflers on my Honda ST1300 would get the soft golden glow as they were stainless....I would clean them periodically with chrome cleaner to remove road stains/tar spots, etc., but the yellowing would always come back.

 

[Yahmy]

To all my Super Tenere friends,

Firstly my apologies for not sending this pic earlier, as some of you requested to see the difference that the Metal Polish made to the stained header pipes. I am quite happy with the outcome at the end, and after some kms the golden colour also returned as the pipes heated up. The polish also seem to leave a slight protective coat on the pipes, since they are much easier to clean after spending some time in the dirt, water etc. I attached the picture with one pipe cleaned and polished, and the other pipe un-polished. Luckily both are polished now!

Thanks for the advice from you all!

 

[colorider]

Thanks for the update and the photo!! Lookin' good!!

 

[ptfjjj]

Another adventure rider blazing the trail for us. Your efforts in learning how to keep your headers looking good will benefit us all. Thanks Yahmy!

 

[2XADV]

Great test data. I need to find some Autosol for when I get stains on my pipes. Thank you for the real life testing!

 

[GrahamD]

Missed this thread for some reason.

Ok back in the SV650 days, it seemed you either belonged in the shiny pipe club or the brown pipe club.

When I obtained the SV, the previous owner was most definitely in the shiny everything club. The bike was spotless. So began my full time membership to the shiny pipe club.

When I obtained the DL1K, the previous Owner was a brown and baked on clay, bugs and tar member.

So, 600 wet and dry followed by 1200 wet and dry, followed by Autosol. Once it's shiny keep it up with Autosol. Stainless Steel wool is often used as well to remove baked on high spots. (carbonized tar, bugs and stuff)

Have to agree on that product. Works a treat if you don't mind a bit of exercise. I have tried lots and lots of things but the Autosol and elbow grease is it.

The down side is that after 15 years polishing the original pipes may get a bit thin and I may just have to get a better exhaust system. The price you pay!

Cheers
Graham

 

[Koinz]

I guess I'm in the brown pipe club and proud of it.

 

[martinh]

I guess I'm in the brown pipe club and proud of it.

Koinz I am with you. This is an ADVENTURE touring motorcycle ment to be dirty last I saw it not a chromed out polished cruiser bike that stays on the road.

 

[Hipshot]

The FJR forum leader called a clean bike a Gay Bike.

 

[pqsqac]

I am all for protecting my purchase notice I didn't say investment because we all know a bike is not an investment but it's a good idea to do your best to protect your bike by cleaning and maintenance. Now with that being said my days are done where I would spend hour after hour cleaning and polishing every nook and cranny on my rides. I do a good job but I don't obsess about it anymore. If the S10 pipe gets dirty or spotty I will do my best to clean it and move on. The bike is going to get nicked, scratched, dented, dinged etc, etc over its life time. These things are made to be ridden and enjoyed.

 

[Yahmy]

The FJR forum leader called a clean bike a Gay Bike.

Hmmm, now lets see;
How about this one "An always dirty bike is an always broken bike

 

[colorider]

Hmmm, now lets see;
How about this one "An always dirty bike is an always broken bike

More my feeling as well. I'm not a compulsive "cleaner", but I do insist on cleaning the "major" road grime/bugs off at the end of each days ride. At the end of a trip, I always give my bike a real thorough cleaning.

 

[2XADV]

There is clean and there is "polish ready" clean. A quick spraydown (low-pressure) can get the damaging stuff off.
Thick dirt/mud holds water againt surfaces like a sponge and can accelerate corrosion and paint damage. That needs to be removed ASAP.
Bug Guts can be salty, sugary or caustic. They need to be removed.
Anything on the fork surface that may damage the seals is bad. This needs to be monitored.

I usually only get the bike to "polish ready" level clean if I am going to sell it or do work/maintenance where I open-up something and I don't want to worry about junk getting inside.

 

[Turk]

I have a similar problem with my header pipes. It has dirt cooked in to them. I tried to clean it with metal cleaner(not autosol) and cloth but it did not work. I think I need to use something stronger but i am afraid of scratching them.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Super T pipes are stainless steel.. The gold is it just getting hot and changing colors. If you want them polished again just get some polish, but takes lots of elbow grease.. . Or if you want a nice FAST simple way to keep them looking 'new' use a scotch bright pad on them (if you like that look)... then if / when they are dirty or from a long trip go back over them and they will look good as new..... The blue-job is for chrome, and these arnt chrome.. Or just ride the heck out of it and blow it off... ???
If you would like them to look like the day you bought the bike, you can pull off the pipes and use a buffing wheel with compound and they will turn "chrome" looking again no problem.... O0

 

[Turk]

Super T pipes are stainless steel.. The gold is it just getting hot and changing colors. If you want them polished again just get some polish, but takes lots of elbow grease.. . Or if you want a nice FAST simple way to keep them looking 'new' use a scotch bright pad on them (if you like that look)...

Thanks Tabasco.
I have one question about elbow grease? sorry for my English but is that mean lots of hard work or there is such a lubricant that i need to use . Thanks

 

[Waspworks]

I polished my exhaust today - What a Pain in the ass....

The current WASPmobile (2010 XT1200Z Super Tenere) is about 21mths old, and I decided it was about time the original headers had a spruce up.
Actually, the whole bike desperately needs a clean as it hasnt had one for a few rides now.. Very unlike me but ive been short on time.

I posted this pic in another thread (about the 21" front wheel install) and was totally disgusted by the condition of the pipes.

I got a quarter of the way into the job and reminded myself why I dont do this more often... What a frig'n pain. I like looking at shiney shit, but I am no longer fond of shining shit... :-[

Anyway, the headers came up well and I even did the stainless port nuts and the cat converter.

Now if I can only remember to give the pipes a wipe every now and then they might stay clean for a while.

Next job is to give the whole bike a was and shine...... One day :-\

Greg.

 

[tomatocity]

Re: I polished my exhaust today - What a Pain in the ass....

Looks good. Gotta know what you used other than sweat and elbow grease.

 

[Waspworks]

Re: I polished my exhaust today - What a Pain in the ass....

Looks good. Gotta know what you used other than sweat and elbow grease.

Pot scrub (ScotchBright) pad and soapy water + ScotchBright soft pad on the bench grinder + a couple of different grade buffing wheels on the bench grinder + Autosol by hand.
All up must have been 3 or 4hrs.

No salami slapping tonight ::005::

Greg.