I think a little color adds even more character, stop worrying and keep riding.................

 

Blue Proof? Is there a new secret process that stops steel, plated or not, from discoloring when it reaches certain temperatures? Do other manufacturers have this secret?

The only way I've ever seen pipes "look" shiny and new after running awhile is with heat shields covering the real pipe, which gets bluer than hell from no air circulation. I bought my first new bike in '69, long before the E.P.A., and the chrome head pipes turned gold and blue soon after so don't blame them. It's a fact of life,like ridin' in the rain.

Here's my solution to blued pipes.

 

You're right it can't be black and blued

 

not to doubt your claim .but i've had my basic s and duel header pipes on for about 15000 miles and they are blue
under the heat shields but the mufflers are just like new .don't know what causes it but i have seen what you are
talking about on some other bikes .could be poor ventiliation or tuning off a little .but i have to say it's not
every bike i see with v&h mufflers are discolored.i think there is a logical explanation why just some do and some don't.

 

i don't think you should be blaming v&h. your bike is running hot, is it running hotter than normal? i dunno, but if its running hot enough to change your muffler color, think how hot it is at the headpipe. just for ***** and grins, look under your heatshield.

 

Vance & Hines talks bout this on there site .
How they try to stop it is by covering or some double wall.
Pipes blued back when I was 1st riding over 30+ years ago .
http://www.vanceandhines.com/g100_technical.html
Look under Tech support.

Jack

 

I have run V&H basics for 60,000+ miles now with no major discoloration. There is just a slight golden tint at the front of my rt. muffler. The bike is pretty much stock other than the pipes and I opened up the aircleaner backplate for better airflow. So lie Larry said ride,ride,ride & ride some more![sm=biker2.gif]

 

The color, the pits, scratches little dings. That is all with the ride. It happens.

Its called "Patina"








patina
Pronunciation:


pa-tē-na
Function:
noun
Inflected Form(s):
plural pa·ti·nas or pa·ti·nae
Etymology:
Italian, from Latin, shallow dish — more at paten
Date:
1748
1 a:a usually green film formed naturally on copper and bronze by long exposure or artificially (as by acids) and often valued aesthetically for its color [/align]b:a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use[/align][/align]2:an appearance or aura that is derived from association, habit, or established character[/align][/align]3:a superficial covering or exterior[/align][/align]

 

I use a high temp paint (any good brand) and spray the inside if the header pipe.
It's not blue proof but it has worked on my harley pipes over the years with good results

 

I have the Oval Slip-Ons and they have not changed colors.

From their web site:

Your eyes are feasting on the perfect sound and performance for Harley-Davidson® touring models. Stand out from the crowd with the Ovals unique shape and stainless-steel rolled inner tip. But don't stop just on the looks alone. Designed to be a pipe within a pipe, this chambered baffle design creates a virtually blue proof barrier. The hot exhaust gases won't even hit the chrome, and that means a slip-on that looks as good years after as it does the day it's installed.