Wrapped Pipes, Fixed Heat Problem

[ga06rider]

I finally did what several have suggested. I fixed my heat discomfort issues by wrapping my exhausts. It's amazing how much difference it made. I'll miss the heat next winter. Honda could easily coat the pipes from the factory and resolve this but until they do, this works.
Some things I learned by doing it. I used two 50 foot rolls of 1 inch black wrap. Got in from JEGS. I used 1 can of the black sealer spray. 6 smaller hose clamps and 2 larger ones. I wrapped the pipe coming off the back cylinder on each side down to where the front and back come together then continued on back to the collector. Placed a small hose clamp at the start and finish of the wrap. I then wrapped the pipe coming off the front pipe and overlapped the wrap where the two come together and placed a large hose clamp there. The lower, inner and middle cowls had to come off as well as the crash bars. It took a couple of days for me.

[azxr]

Nice job!

[Mellow]

Very nice, one thing that might help others is a complete parts list w/numbers and sizes and links to where you got them.

Glad you got your issues resolved, there are some that will follow suit. please provide some short term and long term result once you've had a chance to put some miles on it.

Also, many will probably do this during other work like the 16k service.

[joeca43]

Very nice job. Are you busy this weekend ?
Thanks for the photo's
Joe

[stackman]

Looks good, would be interested in how it works out.

[ccryder]

Very nice job of wrapping. I don't doubt it took many hours.

I still am a "doubting thomas" on the advantage in the wrapping of the headers as far as relief after you have been running for a few hours. My thermo background just knaws away at this "fix". I do understand how it helps maintain the exhaust temps for a period of time and how it helps in realtive short runs ie: drag racing.

Best of luck in the wide, wide world of heat management.

Neil S.

[Byron]

Nice job! Were you able to get the sealer on the back side of the pipes? What kind of money to do the job?

[Mark]

+1 on a pretty nice looking job!

If you don't mind: what does the spray do for the wrap?

Mark

[crazykz]

I hope the heat doesn't do something to the paint but I'm assuming it won't.

Make sure you mount the coolant tank. Normally you don't want to mount that on the footpeg. ;)

Curt

[RibsST1300]

Nice job! I'm going to do mine soon!

I still am not sure I understand why anyone would need a "sealant" on the wrap. I mean, if it gets wet, it's going to dry out real quick with Exhaust running through it!!!

[Rifraf]

...one thing that might help others is a complete parts list w/numbers and sizes and links to where you got them.

...there are some that will follow suit. please provide some short term and long term result once you've had a chance to put some miles on it.

^^^ +1 ^^^

[ga06rider]

I used the 1" X 50' black graphite header wrap by Thermo-Tec (2 rolls at $29.99 each) and 1 can of Thermo-Tec Hi-Heat Coating ($7.99), 6 smaller hose clamps (I think 2") and 2 larger ones (I think 3"). Got the wrap and coating from JEGS.com because I couldn't find it at the local stores. All they had was the 2" wide and not but 15'.
I couldn't get the back side painted without taking the exhausts completely off and I just wasn't willing to do it. Put it on there because it was recommended on here and also by the wrap manufacturer. It's supposed to help protect the wrap.
When they tell you it will smoke for a short period, they mean it. I washed the bike also before I rode it so it may have been wet. It smoked like a steam engine at a stop for probably 20 minutes but stopped after that.
Another thing I didn't think about until I had wrapped one side was to wear long pants, long shirt, gloves and a face mask. It's made of a fiberglass material and I was itching after wrapping the first side.
I hope this works on long rides and continues to work. On the 40 minute ride I took it on it was a night and day difference.

[Skywriter]

Thanks for the post and the parts info...

[kevin2849]

I coated the exhaust on a 1997 Ducati 900SS for the same reason, retaining too much heat in the engine bay. It significantly reduced the running heat of the motor by getting some of heat out of the exhaust instead of 'radiating' inside the fairing.

It did remove the 'coating' that was on the pipes and they looked horrid after that. For that reason I've always rewrapped them after maintenence or to keep the wrap looking good. (about every 2 years) I secured mine with safety wire and never had any issues with it coming loose.

Does anyone know how much new header pipes are from Honda?

[Rifraf]

Thanks for the additional information, it is appreciated! :bow1:

[Sink]

Just a thought, but will not spraying the back side cause it to take on moisture and not let it drain causing the pipes to corrode faster????????

[STOnkin'aussie]

great job - i just know i am gonna have to do this now! :rolleyes:

[2dogs]

Very nice job! great pics too.
I have thought about this in light of all the posts on "heat issues" but so far haven't ridden enough in high temps for the heat to have been a problem.
Please keep us all posted as to the long term pros and cons of this "fix".
I'll be looking forward to your input.
:06biker:
Dave

[UNTMatt]

Maybe this should be a sticky in the fix-it section?

For those that have issues with heat, this seems to be the best solution. Glad it worked for ya.

[mikeinvaf16]

for what its worth.....i had my hedders wrapped with thermo-tec wrap on my car and after 2 years the metal literaly fell apart from the extra heat retained by the wrap. i don't know if it will do the same to stainless steel but from talking to people at my sons track days about their wrapping the pipes on their bikes most agreed that after a while the pipes will need to be replaced because of the extra heat and moisture retained. several folks have had their pipes ceramic coated with excellent results. i bought a new set of hedders for my car and had them coated and 4 years later they still look good. the coating does not reduce the heat as much as the wrap but it will not destroy your expensive pipes.
mike

[ST13Fred]

Nice job, but I only wrapped (1 roll is plenty) to the collectors, under the foot pegs. This completly solves the heat problem at the shins and I feel wrapping ALL the system will speed up the exhaust flow significantly, while retaining more heat than necessary, all with unknown results. So basically, I did just enough to solve MY problem and no more.

:04biker: :)

[RibsST1300]

Just a thought, but will not spraying the back side cause it to take on moisture and not let it drain causing the pipes to corrode faster????????

I doubt this will be a problem for 2 reasons..
1-I think our pipes are Stainless Steel and won't rust easily
2-The exhaust temps are so high, nothing wrapped on the pipes will stay wet for long! Fiberglass does not absorb water anyway as far as I know..

[racats]

I wrapped mine but didn't use any sealer as it's not needed to keep the wrap on or protect it. Instead of clamps, try stainless aircraft safety wire. Works better and is less expensive. You can also apply it at 8 to 10 in. intervals to secure the wrap. Wrap doesn't solve the heat problem totally but sure does help.

[ArminW]

Thanks so much for the attention to detail you included and the pics.
When doing it myself, it helps so much to have specifics so as not to buy too much or the wrong types.
Excellent job!

[mitch96]

Hi,
I wrapped my pipes a few months ago and it was before the god awful florida heat set in. One day it was kinda warm and the tank was as hot as a pistol. I also cut some holes in the plastic inner cowl with a hole saw. Other times it's heat there is not a problem so I don't know what up here.. I'm also thinking of putting a heat shield below the tank "ah la FJR".
I have a IR thermometer so Im gonna go for a nice long ride in the florida heat and "shoot" the tank and plastic whilst I'm riding and get some readings.........

mitch

[hedgehog]

Can anyone tell if this does anything for the hot pocket?

[Austin city limits]

Can anyone tell if this does anything for the hot pocket?

Drill/Cut holes in the front plastic around your radiator and the heat in your pockets drop by about 94 degrees... ;)

I stow my Diet Dr Pepper in there riding in the left side pocket and it is about the same temp as outdoor air temp going down the road...

Before??? I roasted Turkey Breast in a Sun Dried Tomato Sauce and it always came out succulent and piping hot... :duck:

[hedgehog]

Drill/Cut holes in the front plastic around your radiator and the heat in your pockets drop by about 94 degrees... ;)

I stow my Diet Dr Pepper in there riding in the left side pocket and it is about the same temp as outdoor air temp going down the road...

Before??? I roasted Turkey Breast in a Sun Dried Tomato Sauce and it always came out succulent and piping hot... :duck:
Isn't that going to cause a water intrusion issue into the fairing area during wet weather? I'm sure that area is OK to get wet but that would be kind of like a pressure washer at highway speeds. I was hoping to avoid such a drastic mod to the tupperware. :confused:

[ct07rider]

in the july issue of rider magazine on page 117 they did a wrap on the ST with a ceramic cloth that has good pictures and a detailed step by step the kit is available from TCI products and is $46.00 for the material and the clamps it comes with detailed instructions worth looking into if you are so inclined .the contact info is Turbo City Inc,1137 W.Katella Ave.,Orange Cal.
714-639-4933 or www.turbocity.com

[Rick T.]

I have the wrap.Given to me by a Nitro Harley Racer.Say's it's the good stuff. 1 1/2" though may make it tough to maneuver tight curves on ST pipes. When I seen them do it they wet the material after dry fitting. This leaves a little for length and allows for a shrink as it dry's so you have no looseness later.Nice work here.Sealant makes good sense to me but I may not have enough patience for it.Also body part R&R.Rather be riding.

[haysenglehart]

I just installed my wrap kit from Turbo City Tom last night and am hoping a real reduction in heat. I've done everything else, including cutting holes in the inner tupperware, etc, to get the heat down, but it was still too hot. I saw the article in Rider and ordered the kit right away.

Everything was well marked and the instructions were ok, but one note. He only supplies enough wrap to just barely make it from start to finish. The instructions say to only overlay each wrap by no more than 1/4 inch. Now I know why. I obviously over lapped the first pipe by more than that and ran out of wrap with 2 inches to go. When he says 1/4 inch, he means it!

Also, do yourselves a favor and wheel the bike outside for the initial "burn in", meaning the first heatup after installation. The smoke it makes smells toxic, I was coughing and hacking for a couple of minutes. I did my start up in the garage with the doors and windows open and an industrial fan blowing, but it wasn't enough. Roll it outside first.

I'll post the results as soon as I have a chance to test it next week sometime.

[dogg]

I just ordered this kit myself.
Please tell me how it works out.

[gregj]

Read my experience with the kit in this post. (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43064)

I have a roll coming from a member that had some extra.

[Svl-1300]

For those of you that have had the wrap on for sometime. Does it work, help out with the heat. It was 102* today.

Thanks, Bill

[Tor]

I got my legs and feet wrapped instead of going to great lengths trying to wrap the headers. It's been working extremely good. No heat felt whatsoever. A picture of the wrap here (http://moto-oferta.com/images/INFINITY%20GORETEX1-big.jpg). I use it rain or shine, winter or summer.

[gregj]

I wear Oxtar wraps, err - I mean boots, doesnt help me. I'll be wrapping the headers this weekend.

[dogg]

Well I got mine wrapped a couple of days ago.
The wrap was about 3 inches to short and I followed the directions to the letter.
Still get pretty hot to me but not as much on the legs, more at the tank.
Has any one else felt this?

[gregj]

If I remember a note from Tom correctly, he laid the wrap down edge to edge, not overlapping them, the lengths provided might work like this.

If you're short at the header, that may account for the extra heat in that area. I wouldnt ride it too much like this, the extra heat on that area of header not wrapped probably is not good for it.

[haysenglehart]

Ok, my report on the effectivness of the the Turbo City Toms wrap. Bottom line, it works. Now for the fine print. I think it reduces the heat by about 10-15 degrees, which is alot, but still not enough. Is it worth it? Yep, only about $46 bucks and some time under the tupperware.

My one major complaint, and it looks like everybody elses, is that there is not enough material to complete the job. I, like everyone else, had to re-wrap the pipes at least a couple of times to make it all the way to the header.

Tom, if you're listening, add 1 foot of material to each roll you send, raise the price by a couple of bucks, and stop being so cheap. I personally would pay an extra $10 bucks to make sure there was enough wrap to overlap 1/2" and still have enough left over for a neat finish. His instructions say do not overlap more than 1/4", but I still had go with no overlap to make it. Make it longer!

[gregj]

Optimum overlap is 1/4", no more. I agree, the wraps provided need to be longer.

[turbocity tom]

I would like to let everyone know that I have added more material in the kits.

The price remains the same.

Hopefully it will be enough for the beginning rapper.

At the TechSToc this next weekend I will do installations and try to get some detailed picture to post of how it's done.


Thanks Tom

[Svl-1300]

Tom, I'll be there for a wrap. I'm also looking to buy and have your electrical power harness installed. Do I need to preorder or do you have them in stock.
Thanks, Bill

[skids]

Well, ya see...Tom isn't a cheakskate!:)

I would like to let everyone know that I have added more material in the kits.

The price remains the same.

Hopefully it will be enough for the beginning rapper.

At the TechSToc this next weekend I will do installations and try to get some detailed picture to post of how it's done.


Thanks Tom

[haysenglehart]

Hey Tom,

What you are is a good businessman, hearing "complaints" about your product, you stepped up to the plate and fixed it! Now THAT is how to succeed in business, give your customers what they want!

Well done.

[ChipSTer]

Good on ya, Tom.... However, I was thinking... How hard would it be to just buy 1.5 wraps (or 2 packs if they come two to a pack)... Can they be 'spliced' half way down? I'm thinking that would work... and then you could have way more coverage for the process... :confused:
:cool:

P.S. I am thinking about doing this also... with 100+ temps in the summer and only low 40's for a couple of weeks in the winter, the added heat is really not that important... Plus I have heated grips now... :D

[quattro87]

It's 112F today for the ride home from work, but only 40miles. I haven't had my ST but for only a couple of thousand miles, but I can't tell if the heat on my legs is the engine heat or the Las Vegas heat. LOL I do know that wrapping headers will significantly reduce life expectancy of the said header. Others have noted that with SS that isn't a problem, but my experience with SS headers in high heat applications (read automobile turbo header and down pipe) is that SS is better at corrosion obviously, but tends to stress crack more while wrapped. I suppose it's all a trade off and how hard the bike is run and how hot the header gets. In the turbo applications I am referring to, glowing red can be seen after hard high boost runs.........That said, I think I will wrap my pipes!!

[Angus]

I had mine wrapped last year but removed them. Wrapping the headers will cause the heads to retain much more heat on the exhaust side! The headers help remove heat from the heads as well as remove the hot exhaust gas.
I wonder if anyone who has done a wrap has had a warped or cracked head or a head gasket fail?
I thought the wrap did lessen the heat after I did the job, but not by as much as I had hoped for the work involved and the chance of doing damage to the heads.
Drilling 1/4 inch holes in a grid pattern on the inner cowles did much to reduce the heat, and the fairing extenders also did a lot to improve riding in the heat. I'm pretty comfortable now up thru the low to mid 90's, after that its just going to be HOT>
MCL's highway blades are great to cool your inner legs and crotch down in a hurry. Yamaha cooled the FJR down, why can't Honda do the same for us?

[nedlob]

Excellent Job. Very Neat. How long ago did you do this? Have you really been able to see a difference?
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/images/smilies/07Biker.gif
:07biker:



I finally did what several have suggested. I fixed my heat discomfort issues by wrapping my exhausts. It's amazing how much difference it made. I'll miss the heat next winter. Honda could easily coat the pipes from the factory and resolve this but until they do, this works.
Some things I learned by doing it. I used two 50 foot rolls of 1 inch black wrap. Got in from JEGS. I used 1 can of the black sealer spray. 6 smaller hose clamps and 2 larger ones. I wrapped the pipe coming off the back cylinder on each side down to where the front and back come together then continued on back to the collector. Placed a small hose clamp at the start and finish of the wrap. I then wrapped the pipe coming off the front pipe and overlapped the wrap where the two come together and placed a large hose clamp there. The lower, inner and middle cowls had to come off as well as the crash bars. It took a couple of days for me.

[Lowrider]

I did mine with Jeg's wrap and it certainly helped...to the point that I can live with the heat for 6 more weeks until Sep gets here....THEN it will be welcome!!

There must be a way to vent the heat in the summer and capture it and direct it toward you in the winter, but I think it is a ground up design thing and not easily done aftermarket..someone prove me wrong...PLEASE!!

[IRULE]

Real nice job. My bike is hella hot when the weather is above 80+, especially on the left hand side. I might try your fix but look like too much work for me. You live in Washington?