Triumphrat

05-17-2007

I have always loved the look of heat tape wrapped headers. Very old school and also complimentary to the blackened engine of the speedmaster.

I have read that wrapping the pipes may increase horsepower and reduce heat output near the legs, keeping the heat in the exhaust will basically destroy the headers.

Anybody out there wrap their headers and if so, can you clue me into any findings on performance and header/exhaust life?

All responses much appreciated
Wi-Rider :-)

dazco · 05-17-2007

I know nothing about them. But what i do know is that the speedmaster and america headers are double walled. That is, the header you see is NOT the header. It's a shield that is about 1/4" around the actual header. So i doubt wrapping it would do anything other than cosmetic. If you like that look go for it. But i can't imagine it would make any performance difference on double walled headers. Then again i could be dead wrong. Common sense tells me i'm right, but it wouldn't be the first time i wasn't.

Silverado57 · 05-17-2007

I had considered using high-heat paint on the Speedmaster pipes but decided the chrome provides a literal and figurative underline to the bike.

mag10 · 05-18-2007

Last summer, I saw an America with the headers wrapped. It looked pretty cool. The owner did say that the wrap interfered with the kick stand a bit and held it away from the engine cut out switch (safety) that is on kick stand. I think that he had to disconnect it.

Normandy · 05-18-2007

Quote:

On 2007-05-17 12:40, Silverado57 wrote:
I had considered using high-heat paint on the Speedmaster pipes but decided the chrome provides a literal and figurative underline to the bike.

Same here.

05-18-2007

The responses are much appreciated. Knowing that the headers are double walled and performance would probably not be enhanced at all as well as the possibility of interference with the kick stand safety, I am second quessing the wrap.

I stepped back and took a look at my bike today and I must agree that the chrome does underline the bike quite nicely. I think I will have search out a photo of a America and/or Speedy that has wrapped pipes to really judge how it will look.

I was thinking that the use of off-white tape would still provide the framing while providing that old school look. I bet that it would get awfully dirty though.

dazco · 05-19-2007

Have you ever seen some cosmetic mod that people have done that just makes you go HUH ? You just cannot for the life of you understand how anyone could look at it and think it looks good? But you understand that this is human nature and that there are always going to be certain things that some people like that you just cannot see how they could. But still it's just SO puzzling because to you it just looks horrible to your eye. Thats how i feel about wrapping. As much as i understand that there are vast differences in taste, it's just one of those rare things that seems as tho it's too far out there for anyone to like it. It really puzzles me how anyone would do this for looks. :???: :???: :???:
I try not to say anything negative about things people post about here unless i there is something constructive in it. But i had to break my own rule here because I'm just so puzzled i couldn't keep quiet. Don't take it the wrong way tho, as it's not meant in a mean spirited way. Just so puzzling to me i had to speak up.

Now excuse me.....I gotta get working on my latest mod, painting my engine flouresent green. :-D

Nuthin · 05-22-2007

Wrapped my headers. I like the look. Many people do. Many don't. If you like it- do it. It's your bike after all. I for one don't care for chrome. I'm a chromophobe. I've blacked out my fender struts, cheese graters, dash , signals, risers, and bars. I wrapped my headers with black header wrap, and my fork shrouds are wrapped with black leather. She's my beautiful girl, and nobody has to ride her but me. :-D

The wrap serves another purpose for me. When my toddler hears me pull up and comes running hug his dad the wrap offers SOME protection to his little hands should I not grab him in time or in case he gets away and heads to the bike not realizing how hot the headers are.

As for the wrap interfering with the kick stand, that has me scratching my head. :???: I can't figure out how that could happen, but I can say I have no trouble with it.

As for the double wall headers preventing any performance increase I'd say that the double walled headers are a non-issue. Pipe wrap on bikes doesn't incease performance for a simple reason. Wrapping the headers in some cars lowers the underhood temps which in turn allows cooler air into the intake thus providing the additional power. Bikes don't have enclosed engine compartments so under hood temps really aren't an issue for us! The wrap is really just a cosmetic "hot rod" look that I happen to really like.

Nuthin · 05-22-2007

Looking at that picture makes me think that battery strap of mine needs some black paint..... :razz:

06-02-2007

Alright! Now that is the old-school look I am talkin' about! I understand it is not for everyone, but it makes me smile just looking at it. Very nice looking bike Nuthin-thanks for sharing the photo!