I've done the "do-it-yourself" method as well. Originally my pipes weren't too bad, but they were starting to surface rust a bit in spots.
(sorry for the blurry picture- my pipes looked just like Mot3's)
Coating them with a high-temp, ceramic spray paint isn't hard at all, and best of all its pretty cheap. I can't remember the exact brand I used, but it was something I picked up off the internet for $7 a can. P- something I think.
Anywho- just remove the exhaust system from the bike. If I remember correctly there are two allen bolts on each header, and one hanger bolt for each silencer. After you have the assembly off the bike, split the sections (headers, "H-pipe", silencers).
You'll only want to prep/spray the headers and the h-pipe. I used a scuff pad made for a drill, and went at the pipes with the cordless. Took a while, but it was much easier than sanding by hand.
After you have them scuffed up and all the rust removed, you'll want to make sure the pipes are as clean as you can get them for paint.
Depending on which kind of paint you use, the next few steps will differ slightly. Like I said, the ceramic paint I used called for several light coats.
After I had all the coats on and I was satisfied, it was time for the oven.
After a smelly kitchen and a short time to cool off, here they are:
Put them back on the bike and go!
(this pictures was a few months later)
I did wish the paint lasted better over time though. While looking great fresh out of the oven, they have faded to a dull, dark-gray over the past year.
(This picture was taken today while fixing an oil leak- I'll post pictures of that later!)
Its an OK solution if your broke like myself and can do it every year, good luck!
[ This message was edited by: tealetm on 2007-04-02 06:44 ]
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