Header Wrap

[J20tD]

I have been thinking about wrapping my headers, does anyone have any real faults with having wrapped headers? Also what is a good kit to get, and is it hard to do? thanks for any replies!

 

[Bolty]

DEI Titanium

 

[theMelvster6]

I just picked up this Lava Exhaust Wrap

Made from crushed volcanic rock...uh, Cool Aye? LOL But seriously it's supposed to be similar to the DEI Titanium (also made with Lava rock)in performance. Probably the same exact stuff re-badged. It's what the So-Cal Speed Shop had here in Vegas...besides it's got that cool color and "sheen"

 

[theMelvster6]

Oh, and people tend to weigh the benefits of wrapping headers with the negatives.

Pros:

Keeps the heat down on the right side of the bike especially the rear cylinder.

"Supposedly" gives you more HP, doubt that, but it keeps exhaust temp in the header

Looks cool IMO

Cons:

Reports of cracked headers from high temps

Reports of corrosion due to trapped moisture


Etc...there is plenty info on the science of exhaust wrapping

Um, best way but most time involved is removing the header from the bike (whether rotating the engine or dropping the shock and swing arm and removing the fan). It's not hard, just takes time if you want it to look the best. Plenty of info in forums also on the process.

 

[brian1570]

if you ride in the wet or occasionally get your bike wet corrosion is a factor. it can discolor your header. it will take some upkeep. recoating the wrap or redoing the wrap is a must at a certain point. especially if your bike sits in the sun a good amount.

i had wrap on my sportie, looked good, never burnt my leg, but towards the end i could see rust starting to show at the edges of the wrap. and it was definitely starting to fade. just something to consider.


btw my lightning isn't wrapped and probably never will be.

 

[TerryS1980]

Corrosion really isn't an issue on our bikes or any other stainless header.

All the discoloration can be polished out when taken off. I've done it myself.

 

[Lesley]

Wrap it up. Titanium. If you live in the South you will never regret it. I guarantee. I've had mine wrapped for 4 years now and rarely do I hear the fan running.
I will say if you ride in all weather I would most definitely redo it once a year. Or if you wash your bike with the hose. This is only a suggestion though.
Good luck.

 

[user_deleted]

has been great on my firebolt and hid the little ding in front cylinder headpipe. and when parking lot trolls ask what that "wrapping tape is" on your exhaust pipes you can tell them "factory installed to keep the turbocharger warmed up". an added benefit for sure.

 

[J20tD]

Thanks for all the info guys I may tackle this in a couple weekends. I'm still trying to weigh the pros an cons but you guys have helped a lot!

 

[jmill25]

You can pick up the dei titanium for like $35 bucks on amazon, and then a couple hose clamps at the hardware or autoparts store. Best thing I've done so far to my bike, the heat riding down in Oklahoma was killing my legs before I wrapped my headers

 

[Lesley]

the heat riding down in Oklahoma

I wasn't aware there were any Buells left in OK. LOL I'm in Tulsa where are you?

 

[Oldgit]

I'll be wrapping my headers this winter when I tear down the engine. My trousers keep getting melted on the pipe I also accidentally melted my ecmspy cable.

 

[J20tD]

Do I have to take my headers off to wrap them?

 

[Lesley]

Do I have to take my headers off to wrap them?

Negatory. Some do some don't. I didn't

 

[jmill25]

I wasn't aware there were any Buells left in OK. LOL I'm in Tulsa where are you

I'm down in Mustang, aka okc suburbs. I've ran into a few recently, but none of them are on the forums.

 

[oh9bolt]

I will +1 DEI Titanium, after using it twice I will not go back to the regular wrap.

It looks better, goes on easier, and it looks better.

 

[rshepler217]

taking them off does make it alot easier and usually makes it look cleaner as well but i have found that sometimes in tight spaces like the rear you can put a clamp on the wrap and have it started off in the side that you can access then slide ut up the header to the o2 sensor and tighten it with the seat and cover off. a little easier than removing the header and still looks pretty clean but removed does usually make it look better and is easier to wrap if you want to go through the hassle of removing the header.

 

[Lesley]

aka okc suburbs

well you weren't at Maxeys 50th anniversary because I didn't see you and you didn't see me [sad]

NW 39 and Tulsa avenue. I was there last saturday. Here is a pic of us at POPs

Haha Thats me in the yeller shirt.

Maybe we can meet up sometime on a saturday midway on rte66 amd have lunch. [up]

 

[CrazyTexan]

I will +1 DEI Titanium, after using it twice I will not go back to the regular wrap.

[up]

I diddnt use that stuff, Just the regular black colored wrap, It smoked like my bike was on fire riding down main st. And burnt out all the color after a month or two. took it off and had all sortsa nasty shit stuck on the headers, Took me forever to clean them up, and I just polished them from then on till now.

 

[jmill25]

I was out by pops just a couple weeks ago actually, I go out I Seaba station motorcycle museum whenever they have something going on