It isn't really "diesel" oil per se, it's just oil that happens to meet the API criteria for diesel engines as well as those for automobiles. The CalSci link that Carl posted has a lot of good information on that subject.Thanks, what are the benefits of running diesel oil
Heat Gun, Radio shack, $20 bucks. Then you'll knowDello 400LE and Delvac 1300 are available at WalMart.
It is very subjective, as I've never put a thermometer on it, but I really think I get less heat on my legs with Shell Rotella T-6 synthetic. It's twice the price though. Always worked well for me.
I wrapped mine and didn't feel any different. I wound up taking the wrapping off..
I'd be curious to see some pictures of this.I also used self adhesive insulating foam mat to insulate the console box on the right side. The insulating mat was applied on the inside of the side cover such that it's not visible. As expected, the console box on the right side now only gets lukewarm to the touch compared to the left box which gets so hot it's uncomfortable to keep my fingers on the lower side of the box.
I don't know if this is a wives tell or not, but I heard if you spill oil on a wrapped header, it can cause a fire. One of the reason I took it off. Now there are some (Like Byron), sent his headers off and had them coated. Can't remember coated with what, but I think that is the direction to go.I've read a few postings about wrapping the exhaust headers to reduce heat and the comments that it doesn't improve the "hot bike" problem. Some say that heat from the radiator is the source of most of the heat so wrapping doesn't help. I'm an ST owner and I manage a series of engineering laboratories so this issue was of particular interest to me. I decided to try an experiment. Before I started I used a thermal imaging camera to look at the heat signature for the bike and the two console boxes. After a long ride on a hot day, I was shocked to discover the console boxes were around 172 degrees F inside! So I wrapped the right side header and kept the left header unwrapped. I also used self adhesive insulating foam mat to insulate the console box on the right side. The insulating mat was applied on the inside of the side cover such that it's not visible. As expected, the console box on the right side now only gets lukewarm to the touch compared to the left box which gets so hot it's uncomfortable to keep my fingers on the lower side of the box. I took the bike for a 200 mile ride and I have to say that there is a considerable difference in the heat from the left and right sides. The right side is now considerably cooler than the left. The right side is NOT cool, but cooler.
When I wrapped the right header I noticed something that concerned me. The right header is very close to the lower radiator hose. These header pipes can glow red hot and produce an enormous amount of radiant heat in very close proximity to that hose. While I haven't read of any lower radiator hose failures, I would think this would sufficient justification for wrapping the header on that side.
One of my concerns is that wrapping the exhaust simply pushes the heat normally dissipated in the header into the muffler and of course the catalytic converter. I don't know if that will have a negative impact on the catalytic element. Once I take the comparison thermal images I'll know how it impacts catalytic heating.
I haven't taken the second set of thermal images yet but when I do, I would be happy to post them if you're interested.
Thanks, I was thinking he'd updated that one but I guess not.Mellow-"Here are some thermal images Doug did back in 2006"
Looking at those thermal images, they were taken with the bike cold and sitting in the sun. Hence the tank and upper part of the bike are warm and the lower portion of the bike are cool. The exhaust is at ambient temp.
I'll try to get the pictures posted this week.