Will exhaust wrap "rot" my pipes??
#11
06-07-2012, 08:28 PM
Physics applies.
The pipes will be hotter than before the wrap. That is the purpose of the wrap - retain heat inside the pipes. The hotter the exhaust gases the more velocity they have. More velocity may (other things involved) result in more power as the cylinder can be evacuated faster.
Next part of the physics is what alloy the pipes are made of. The steel, usually a mild alloy (1010) will oxidize from the heat. The hotter the pipe the more oxidation that happens. Oxidation means losing material - the pipes will weigh less than when new. At some point they'll be too thin to hang together.
Next physics part is that I've read somewhere (can't remember where, so gots nothing to "ratify" this) that the higher temp will cause carbon to migrate out of the steel, and cause the steel to become brittle.
Practical - I've wrapped several sets of pipes. I did it because I liked the look, and because the pipes I had were rusted, scratched, dinged, and I'm a cheap bastid. When the wrap was later removed the pipes were in worse condition than when first wrapped. They were severely pitted in a couple areas that had been in less than pristine shape originally.
If you wrap pipes, do it with the expectation that the wrap will cause the pipes to degrade more rapidly than otherwise. At least with that in mind you won't be disappointed.
The pipes will be hotter than before the wrap. That is the purpose of the wrap - retain heat inside the pipes. The hotter the exhaust gases the more velocity they have. More velocity may (other things involved) result in more power as the cylinder can be evacuated faster.
Next part of the physics is what alloy the pipes are made of. The steel, usually a mild alloy (1010) will oxidize from the heat. The hotter the pipe the more oxidation that happens. Oxidation means losing material - the pipes will weigh less than when new. At some point they'll be too thin to hang together.
Next physics part is that I've read somewhere (can't remember where, so gots nothing to "ratify" this) that the higher temp will cause carbon to migrate out of the steel, and cause the steel to become brittle.
Practical - I've wrapped several sets of pipes. I did it because I liked the look, and because the pipes I had were rusted, scratched, dinged, and I'm a cheap bastid. When the wrap was later removed the pipes were in worse condition than when first wrapped. They were severely pitted in a couple areas that had been in less than pristine shape originally.
If you wrap pipes, do it with the expectation that the wrap will cause the pipes to degrade more rapidly than otherwise. At least with that in mind you won't be disappointed.
#13
06-07-2012, 09:10 PM
Club Member
Wrap it with Ben Franklin's you shouldn't have any troubles finding company .
#14
06-09-2012, 12:49 PM
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I wrapped the 4 header pipes on my ST1300 due to some heat issues aboutn 4 years ago. One of the safety wire ties rusted out so I had to rewrap it. Did not see any appreciable difference in coloring, but then this is a water cooled engine.
#15
06-09-2012, 01:17 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
I wrap pipes on some of my bikes - especially my dirt bikes. Might do it to the ultra. I'm on the fence because it (to me) looks like you're trying too hard. My bikes are about function ahead of form and the wrap keeps heat away from me and keeps me from melting my riding and rain gear. As far as engine performance, I seriously doubt it makes a real world difference on a bike.
As far as the effect on the metal, I've had no damage to the pipes. I'm sure that metal quality varies and ymmv. I always start by bikes after the wrap gets wet and ride it until it stops steaming - which is not far. I change the wrap every spring also.
As far as the effect on the metal, I've had no damage to the pipes. I'm sure that metal quality varies and ymmv. I always start by bikes after the wrap gets wet and ride it until it stops steaming - which is not far. I change the wrap every spring also.
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