Triumphrat

idaho_thrux · 04-21-2007

Well, the bike has been de-winterized for a couple of months and I have noticed that where the forward part of my Predators connect to the header pipes has started to blue up to about six inches back. Not really dark like the top of the headers, but a distinct bronzing.

So, this brings up a few questions: 1) Is this normal for Predators?; 2) Is my mixture really screwed up in that it is that hot that far back?; 3) Has anyone had any experience with BC and their warranty service (I bought them from my dealer so I could take them back there also, but would rather just deal with the mfg)?

Thrux-ton-up · 04-22-2007

I-Thrux- stainless pipes will get a distinct gold/bronze/straw collor to them over time. They may be doing it in that area do to the back pressure created and that part of the pipe gets a little hotter. I have not seen any bonnie/thrux's that have started to discolor on the mufflers. How is your air/fuel ratio? May be a little lean in your favorite RPM zone causing this discoloration. My Preds have over 22,000 miles with no sign of discoloration except a little straw color around the weld at the pipe clamp location. Usually the mufflers don't show much discoloration - don't know how much luck you would have with any warranty claim - the discoloration is normal to an extent. A chrome or metal polishing shop could clean them right up for you on a buffing wheel.

Granitsky · 04-22-2007

I discovered a secret formula for polishing stainless steel- especially for removing the yellowing that happens to exhaust pipes. I found the idea on this site a long time ago and it totally works:

Use toilet cleaner with acid in it.

It cleaned up my speed triple pipes from a yellow to a gorgeous silver chrome color.

idaho_thrux · 04-23-2007

Thanks for the reply guys. Granitsky, have you had any issues with the acid pitting the surface? John, I'm in a lot of traffic in my commute and that puts me in low RPM ranges a lot. Maybe I'll pull out my old Dynotune sheet and see what the mixture looks like in that range.

Granitsky · 04-26-2007

No pitting at all. I suppose the acid is weak, but try it on a small place that you don't care about first just to be safe. It doesn't work on bluing chrome, but it does work on stainless to get the yellowing off. Since predators are stainless, it might work for you pretty good. I did it to the whole header pipes on my speed triple and it looked awesome.

oregonthruxton · 04-26-2007

Quote:

On 2007-04-22 20:31, Granitsky wrote:

Use toilet cleaner with acid in it.

Timothy Leary would be proud of you.

idaho_thrux · 04-27-2007

Ganitsky, thanks for the follow up. I will trying on an inconspicuous part of the Preds and see what happens.

John, I did check my dynotune results and you were spot on. I'm running very lean at right about 25-30 MPH, which is where I'm spending most of my time when in bad traffic on the daily commute. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

JW