Wrapped header pipes. Good idea?

Mellow said:
Hmm.. not a very good example... the exhaust valve being closed after exhaust gases escape are pretty much the end of what's needed. I really doubt manufacturers use the exhaust pipe itself as part of the cooling calculation.

I think the only thing that wrapping an exhaust will do is cause some corrosion to the exhaust itself. I think ceramic coating it would be better.
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I had the headers on my GL1000 restoration ceramic coated in silver. The original heat shields were really great collectors of road crud, being so close to the road surface. Just an occasional polish and they looked new 'til I parted with it some 74000 miles later. The 'ankle' heat perception was about the same as with the original parts installed.
 
Igofar said:
The main purpose of heat wrap is to keep heat from escaping, which means while you don’t feel it, the engine is keeping this heat and not allowing it to escape, which makes it hotter.
Think of a bbq, the gas will cook your hamburger with the lid open, however what happens when you close (seal) the lid to your bbq.
It gets hotter and over cooks your hamburger.
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I'll agree to disagree then. Once that hot gas passes the exhaust valve it is no longer imparting any extra heat to the engine. But hey, we all have our theories.
 
So keeping those pipes wrapped and retaining heat, not to mention rust and corrosion, those hot metal pipes won’t damage plastic, switches, and wire harnesses that they are near?
I’m good with agreeing to disagree on this one.
I’ve handled enough pro race bikes both with and without header wrap to see first hand what they do, and don’t do.
 
My wrapped pipes have been good for 150000 miles, so far. What wrapping does is stop outside influences of temperature from effecting the scavenge on the cylinder. I'm not sure how much moisture a 500 degree pipe can hold, but if the bike sits outside in the rain.......jme I've never seen any posts of rotted st headers
 
I wrapped my pipes last summer prior to touring northern Italy. Noticed my lower legs getting less sweaty, engine running slightly quieter, bike being a little nimbler and mpg a tad better. Improved performance/efficiency as a result of scavenging is debateable, but I am convinced the wrap helps evacuate the heat rather than retain it. Haven't noticed any adverse effects.
 
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oude geit said:
My wrapped pipes have been good for 150000 miles, so far. What wrapping does is stop outside influences of temperature from effecting the scavenge on the cylinder. I'm not sure how much moisture a 500 degree pipe can hold, but if the bike sits outside in the rain.......jme I've never seen any posts of rotted st headers
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And you’ve probably never heard of anyone removing them to check the condition underneath it either.
I’ve removed many wraps over the years and saw first hand damage. I built a frame up build on a Honda TLR200 trials bike, and had a stainless steel header pipe, wrapped it, and within a single season, found it rusted and pitted when the wrap was removed.
And yes, stainless steel can rust when the wrap gets wet and holds the moisture against it.
YMMV.
 
Coval said:
I wrapped my pipes last summer prior to touring northern Italy. Noticed my lower legs getting less sweaty, engine running slightly quieter, bike being a little nimbler and mpg a tad better. Improved performance/efficiency as a result of scavenging is debateable, but I am convinced the wrap helps evacuate the heat rather than retain it. Haven't noticed any adverse effects.
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Search the forums for plastic and wire damage due to heat.
Many of the pictures of damage also had wrapped pipes.
Just because you haven’t seen it, does not mean it won’t happen.
YMMV
 
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