Cleaning those Gold Header Pipes

[Millman]

LOL, you wound up with the installer's hand print burned in too. ::010::

I guess i don't understand the joke?

 

[Don in Lodi]

That dark purple mark on the left pipe in that picture is an oily hand print 'burned' into the metal. You can almost make out finger prints on some, you can for sure see a fold from the palm in that one. I don't think I've seen a set of pipes on a Tenere yet that didn't have at least one hand print. Mine had one on both pipes.

 

[tomatocity]

Prefer to have clean headers but I never cleaned my 2012 in 52,200 miles. The headers on the 2015 look terrible. Time to clean them then install the ACD skidplate. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[Ron Earp]

My old TDM850 suffered the exact same problem. Those pipes were black, but ended up dirt orange. Probably the only possible solution is to remove them and have the pipes coated. I've done that with my race headers with great results, but, those don't often see water. I suspect a coating will fail with repeated exposure to water while hot.

 

[KevinFH]

I enjoy the natural color I get by riding the motorcycle and then washing the bike at the high pressure car wash place down the street every 4 months or so.

 

[Longdog Cymru]

I read in one of the motorcycle rags that discoloured headers can be cleaned with scrunched up aluminium foil, (kitchen foil), and lemon juice. Dip the scrunched up foil in lemon juice and rub away! Never tried it myself but maybe someone would like to give it a try?

 

[PineLaneRider]

I think mine need cleaned...

 

[Abercrombie tenere]

I think mine need cleaned...
View attachment 75921

They look fine to me.

 

[Longdog Cymru]

I think mine need cleaned...
View attachment 75921

I mounted my accessory horn in the same way as you. Mine filled up with water and it sounded like a duck!

 

[PineLaneRider]

I mounted my accessory horn in the same way as you. Mine filled up with water and it sounded like a duck!

I was thinking the same after I looked at my picture. Didn't cross my mind when installing.

 

[Tenman]

When I first got my bike in 13. I tried keeping the headers shining. Give up. They are not going to stay that way unless you only ride on clean dry roads

 

[akaupstate]

The pipes shine up real fast with Muriatic Acid (toilet bowl cleaner, or concrete etcher). Stubborn areas might need a scotch bright pad or some 1000grit sandpaper. Brings them back to the dull silver color. Gold returns once you heat them up.
I've looked at the manual, and there isn't a recommended interval given for this job, so its not necessary. Chromed out cruiser owners get jealous at how good our bikes look dirty. Isn't that one of the reasons to ride ADV?