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pipe discoloration
Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:12 pm
by todostusmuertos
So, I keep reading that blue discoloration does come off with a special type of polish but my V Star pipes are actually yellow. This bike has about 20,000 miles and I'm guessing that's why they're discolored. The pipes are custom and they soud great.
Anyways, does yellow discoloration come off?
Thanks.
Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:52 pm
by basshole
the pipes will discolor if you don't rejet after you add the pipes. especially if you made mods to your air intake. The yellowing will come off with chrome polish (several different kinds you can use) but it will come back if you don't do a rejet.
Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:03 pm
by ZooTech
Actually, if it's a single-wall pipe, it'll come back regardless.
Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:30 pm
by jmillheiser
all single wall pipes will blue. Even some double wall pipes will blue. The header on my bandit is decidedly yellow and its double wall.
The chrome polish that will remove blueing and yellowing is called Blue Job.
I thought pipe blueing was kind of a neat effect as long as it didn't start pitting.
The VW bug I used to have had an aftermarket muffler on it, about a week after I put the muffler on the pipe coming off the header collector started getting a nice multi color blueing to it that looked just like the expensive flame titanium pipes that people shell out booku bucks for. then it got wet and had a layer of rust within hours and I had to sand and paint it LOL.
Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:33 pm
by biker_mit
Discoloration of the chrome occures due to higher temps then designed.This is an indication of rather leaner running conditions.If you change the stock airflow by opening pipes and/or intake then you get leaner mixture due to higher volumes of air with the same volumes of fuel.As it was mentioned before you need to rejet.Put a bigger jets in carb or ajust your chip if it's a FI
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 12:04 am
by Dash Riproc
Regardless of the reason why pipes get discolored, the only thing I've found to combat the problem is a product called "Blu-Away" (sp).
It's expensive; $17 including tax for a small, 5 maybe 6 ounce bottle, but it works, (Summit Racing). I dosen't take much; I've put a couple of applications on my pipes and still have well over half the bottle left.
Works especially well on the
blue discoloration; the yellow needs a couple of applications. No matter the degree of effectiveness on the color, even just one application will put a shine on your pipes you won't believe.
It's minty-green in color and smells like the devil's breath...very nasty. Use a very damp cloth to apply and buff with a clean cotton t-shirt.
No...I don't sell this stuff or work for their company

; I just know it works.
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:21 am
by todostusmuertos
Thank you all so much for the replies and helpful info.
This is a single wall pipe so I know that the yellow will always come back but I would not mind cleaning my pipes every so often as long as the yellow goes away.
I really have no idea what "rejet" means but thanks anyways.
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 3:47 am
by tex1230
Will the blueing of the pipe damage it at all? I hear that all Triumph pipes will blue but I thought it was ok just to leave it that way.
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:17 am
by jstark47
Bonnevilles come set up from the factory to run lean and hot, and they have single wall pipes. Unless the air injection system is pulled off before the bike is run, the pipes will blue out, it's kind of a Bonneville trademark. Never heard of it compromising the pipes though, I thought it was just an appearance issue.
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 3:00 pm
by biker_mit
todostusmuertos wrote:I really have no idea what "rejet" means but thanks anyways.
Re-jetting is taking your carburetor apart and changing jets inside for either bigger or smaller depend on requirements.In yoru case it will be bigger jets.Every jet has a number stamped on them.You can find it in yoru bike repair manual(asuming you got one??) then call around ,check online for re-jet kits for the bike carburetors.
Now if it's Fuel injected engine then you migth try to find an aftermarket chip for the fuel management system.That is really not all THAT hard as it sounds.
Mitty