Help in WRAPPING MY HEADER PIPES

[DWJ Honda]

Am planning to wrap the headers on my '05 ST, and would be grateful for advice/wisdom from those who have already done it.

1. Will it be worth the effort and truly make a difference?

2. What specific product did you use to do the actual wrapping, and how much of the pipes did you wrap? Any photos or other details would be much appreciated too!

3. Any other suggestions or lessons learned on how to do it successfully?

THANKS to all for the feedback.
DWJ

[whittlebeast]

http://www.ncs-stl.com/st1300/ST1300Wrap.jpg

[DeSTy]

I removed mine to do them completely up to the flange.

I also layed a single stainless wire over the 'tape' as I wrapped it, to help prevent 'sag'.

I used simple stainless hose clamps (worm drive type?) at each end to secure the fibreglass tape.

Specific product names from me would be irrelevant as I'm in AU.

oh, and yes, it's very worth it.

[MidLife]

From posts on this forum and others, looks like the Thermo-Tec tape is doing the job.

IIRC, an older post reported using about 80 ft of the 2" tape for the wrapping.

SpeedZone24-7.com seem to have reasonable prices on the tape and clamps.



Am planning to wrap the headers on my '05 ST, and would be grateful for advice/wisdom from those who have already done it.

1. Will it be worth the effort and truly make a difference?

2. What specific product did you use to do the actual wrapping, and how much of the pipes did you wrap? Any photos or other details would be much appreciated too!

3. Any other suggestions or lessons learned on how to do it successfully?

THANKS to all for the feedback.
DWJ

[hojo in sc]

Looking at the Termo-Tec web site, it looks like they have two different types of tape, a silver tape (thermo shield) and a copper looking tape (Generation II Copper Header Wrap). Which one is folks putting on (the photo above looks like the copper), and they also sell a spray to help seal it in.

[SteveST1300]

Yes so which tape and what are the benefits?:03biker:

[RibsST1300]

I also want to do this project this spring..I was looking at www.summitracing.com
they have a large selection on products.

[hojo in sc]

And if your gonna wrap the pipes, why not use some of that adhesive barrier on the inside of the fairing?

[DWJ Honda]

Any other ideas or suggestions??

Am eager to do this project, if it will help, and want to do it RIGHT.

Thanks. DWJ

[ST13Fred]

The type WhittleBeat' used is what I have, on over 90K miles on 2 different bikes, with no problems. However, as I stated on another thread on the same topic, I removed the Cowls and Crash Bars to gain access in order to wrap the headers beginning at the mounting flanges and ending at the collectors under the foot rests. That is where the serious heat travels; from in front of the shins. Heat under the feet are not an issue, IMHO. Good luck.

:04biker: :D

[Polar X]

I am having my headers cermacoated, hoping that will help with any heat issues that may arise. Anyone else tryed the coating?

[Simmons1]

I wrapped my headers about a week. There is huge difference in the amount of heat that makes it to the rider now. Me likey!

[redst05]

I have thought of sending in my headers to have them coated with "Jet-hot"
Has anyone tried this?
Here is a link. http://www.jet-hot.com/

[Computer Nerd]

Would doing this just "pass the buck" and make your exhaust under your luggage bags hotter?

Would there be a risk to the luggage in that circumstance?

[ST13Fred]

Would doing this just "pass the buck" and make your exhaust under your luggage bags hotter?

Would there be a risk to the luggage in that circumstance?

I feel there would be minimal temp difference, if any at all, on the hard bags.

:04biker: :)

[Simmons1]

I have a ceramic coated pipe on my ZX-11 and I wrapped the ST with the pipes still mounted.

The wrapped pipes seem to hold more heat in them than the ceramic coated one.

[redst05]

I think next winters project will include removing the headers and sending in for a jet-hot coating. I still think there might be a chance that the pipes could rust out due to heat and moisture.
Jet hot coatings also let everything cool faster.

[Byron]

Simmons1,

As a point of clarification since you have used both methods, when you say "wrapped pipes seem to hold more heat in them" do you mean they radiate less heat or they stay hot longer or did you mean something different?

I had my pipe JetHot coated as a preventive measure and have had no issues.

[STinner]

nobody mentioned price. how much does this miracle coating cost?

[Simmons1]

My opinion is the wrapped pipes radiate less heat than the ceramic coated ones.

[ga06rider]

Just got my service manual and have all my supplies. Just wondering if I have to take the middle cowl off or can I get to everything by taking the inner lower cowl and the lower cowl off? I want to wrap them all the way up.

[ST13Fred]

You really need to take all the cowling off. Even the crash bars need to be off to access the job the right way. Why fight it and do a less than good job? I only wrapped the main header pipes; not past the collectors. Wrapping 'all the way' will increase exhaust gas speed (more), leaning out the mixture and could lead to 'issues'. With FI, probably would not change the way the engine runs, but could have a chronic effect. Once the heat is past the feet, there is no problem. Good luck.

:04biker: :)

[ga06rider]

Thanks. I've gotten most of the job done but what a pain in the butt. Will take pics and post for others. I underestimated by half the amount of wrap to buy so I had to do this in stages. Also, didn't think about the wrap being a fiberglass material so I was itching after the first night doing this in shorts and a T shirt. Looks good. Hope it does the job.

[pepollock]

So how much wrap did you end up using? And which width? Thanks for the reminder about the fiberglass itch!

[hojo in sc]

I got 2" inch tape, 50 feet long, some left over.

Oh, and when it is first put on, it smokes a bit, then smells funny...like burnt apple pie, but the smell will go away. It took me awhile for the apple pie craving to go away.