HEADER WRAP QUESTION

[bmasaints]

Hey guys, I am a returning motorcyclist after 17 years and I bought an 07 firebolt xb12r, cherry bomb/black which is awsome! The only thing is that the exhaust pipes were slightly rusted so for a quick fix I wrapped them with header wraps. Last night I went for an evening ride (the first night ride) and found where the pipes go two-to-one that the exposed pipe was glowing orange after only about 4 minutes of idling! Is this normal, or is it because the wraps are holding in more heat, and most of all is it safe? Any help would be great. Thanks, Mike

 

[12R_FIRE]

If you do a search and look around a bit on the site you'll find every answer to that question, it depends on which you want to believe. I just wrapped mine this fall, they were scratched, at worst the bike runs lean and hot and i have to buy new headers.

If you dont want to chance it, WD40 and scotchbrite pads should clean up your headers if they aren't scratched, always another option...

 

[bmasaints]

Aloha for the response 12R FIRE. I'll definetly think about taking them off. I guess my leg getting hot is better than the bike getting hot!

 

[Stevenc150]

Don't let your bike idle for extended periods of time. It's going to get the headers very hot sitting static and foul your plugs as well. Start it up and let it idle long enough to gear up and take off. Starting just to listen to it or show it to the buddies and shutting it down will foul plugs also. Highly recommend swapping out now to the NGK Iridium spark plugs - very foul-resistant (Pt#DCPR9EIX).

Here's some threads that may be of some help too: For the New Buellers... and 120+ Helpful Links

Oh, and Welcome to the Forum. Throw up some pics when you get a chance. [up]

 

[bmasaints]

Thank you so much Stevenc150. Will work on the pics!

 

[Puzzled]

Not an XB authority here however I do own 3 air cooled twins. IMO the headers should not be glowing while idling. I have only had this happen to me when I had a loose set of head pipes. The pipes were sucking in air. I would imagine fueling could play an issue also. Again I don't think that is something it should be doing and I wouldn't say the header wrap is causing it either. Than again I could be wrong.

 

[Stevenc150]

It's pretty common place for those that happen to be around their Buell in the dark after it idling for an extended amount of time - especially if it still has the Stock ECM mapping known for being lean from the factory on the '07-earlier.

Adding to the problem for his '07 are the wrapped headers holding all the heat in on the pipes, and idling for 4+ mins.

 

[Jobe Zeebuh]

Is one pipe wrapped or both?