Triumphrat

Blacklion50 · 04-26-2007

So me and some friends have gotten into a discussion on which is better looking, blued headers or chrome headers. I was saying that I am a much bigger fan of headers that have been blued by heat because bikes are meant to be ridden. From an Orange County Choppers custom to any production bike to the bike that some guy puts together out of things he finds in junk yards, if it has wheels and an engine it should be on the road. Blued headers are proof of that; they show that the bike has been through some miles and that the person riding it is using it for it's intended purpose. When the headers are coated so that they keep the factory chrome finish it makes it look like the only action the bike ever sees is the people admiring it at a bike show, after which it's placed back on its trailer and hauled back to its garage resting place until the next show comes around. My friend was just saying that he personally does not like the blue because headers are chromed to give the bike a certain look and that the bluing takes away form the look that the person responsible for making the bike was trying to achieve. I know that this discussion will never be resolved because it boils down to a matter of opinion and everyone is entitled to their own, but I was hoping that I could hear some more opinions from riders out there.

[ This message was edited by: Blacklion50 on 2007-04-26 10:58 ]

tba-golfer · 04-26-2007

Whatever YOU like is what counts...

Blacklion50 · 04-26-2007

Yes, you're correct, I cover that point in the last sentance right before I ask for the opinions of everyone else.

MVP44 · 04-26-2007

I like the chrome look - Van Hines is making most of their headers now with heat shields designed so that it will not blue with time. I agree I like the ones who ride more than show, but I really admire the ones that I know get many miles in the seat and still manage to keep the bike showroom nice.

I would stick to the chrome look vs the blue, but I am a clean freak when it comes to bikes.

fivehundo · 04-26-2007

I'm actually about to send my headers off to jet-hot for coating. I'm more concerned about getting rid of the heat. It seems that a lot of heat gets stored up in the headers and most Daytonas tend to run really hot. That being said, the Jet-hot sterling looks really good too. I prefer functionality to appearance every time. If it protects from corrosion, dissipates heat and still looks good, I'm in!!!

HiDesert · 04-26-2007

Blue. It shows you ride, that you don't have a trailer queen. And it's really a good-looking effect; nice shade of blue, fading out to chrome. Love it. Heat shields are extra weight.

Of course, I think chrome generally gets a lot more use than it deserves. It's easy to overdo it with chrome.

LoVel · 04-26-2007

I like blue. Chrome makes it look like a toy. JMO

doodledog · 04-26-2007

Blue its how pipes should be :-D

mglemans86 · 04-26-2007

Used to be if your headers turned blue you were jetted to rich :???: :???:

Panthermark · 04-26-2007

If they start out chrome, they should stay chrome.

Blue headers are NOT a sign that the bike has been ridden. It's simply a chemical reaction...heat and metal.

Go to your Triumph dealer and look at a Bonnie that's sitting on the showroom floor. I've seen Bonnie's with less than 5 miles on them with blue going down to the second bend. My pipes blued because I let it idle too long before I took the air injection off.

If you want to know if a bike has been ridden...look at the odometer...not the headers.