I installed a new set of pipes on my bike and they were cleaned well before startup. After following the breakin instructions with the pipes, the pipes turned gold right at the head, not blue like others I have seen. I've heard that gold means the bike is running lean...any truth to this?

 

Not my words......

Gold and blue pipes result because the exhaust is running too hot. There are three reasons for this. The first, most common reason, is that the bike is running lean. A lean mixture causes exhaust temperature to rise very sharply. A slightly rich mix WILL NOT CAUSE BLUED OR YELLOWED PIPES.

However, a *VERY* rich mix can result in an extreme case of bluing. This happens when the mix is not completely burned in the combustion chamber, (either due to a too rich mix, malfunctioning coil, burned valve, improper timing, or whatnot) and rather ignites INSIDE THE EXHAUST. This can result in an exhaust pipe that GLOWS RED while the bike is running. Only in this extreme case can a too-rich mixture cause bluing.

The common myth that blue is lean and gold is rich (or the reverse) is just that. A myth.

 

Gold and/or blue is usually a sign of a lean condition. However, it also can be a sign of cheap chrome. As far as being lean goes, it is my experience that gold isn't as lean as blue.

 

First, thank you for the help,

I was thinking that gold is "cooler" than blue meaning less lean, but still lean

the chrome on my pipes is about the highest quality you can get and plated on 16 ga steel...