Why are my chrome headers turning a nice golden color where they connect
to the engine for about 8 inches? 1996 Suzuki 1400.



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All is as it is.

LSMFT <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Why are my chrome headers turning a nice golden color where they connect
> to the engine for about 8 inches? 1996 Suzuki 1400.

Because they get hot.

Are they the originals or aftermarket ones? After 15 years, could be
either.

The Japanese tend to make their chrome header pipes double-skinned to
prevent them discolouring (blue or yellow) with heat. Pattern
manufacturers are not usually so painstaking. Single wall tubing
discolours.

If they're the originals, then the mixture is wrong and the engine is
running seriously hot.

Krusty will be along in a minute to tell you what they used on 1970s
Suzukis.


--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Kawasaki GPz750 Honda CB400F
Triumph Street Triple Suzuki TS250ERx2 GN250.
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com

On Apr 10, 12:45*pm, LSMFT <bole...@aol.com> wrote:
> Why are my chrome headers turning a nice golden color where they connect
> to the engine for about 8 inches?

High temperature oxidization.

Even stainless steel headers will turn color, they become brown.

On Apr 10, 1:12*pm, totallydeadmail...@yahoo.co.uk (The Lying Sack of
**** known as Neil Murray) wrote:

> If they're the originals, then the mixture is wrong and the engine is
> running seriously hot.

Bullshit.

The Older Gentleman wrote:
> LSMFT<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> Why are my chrome headers turning a nice golden color where they connect
>> to the engine for about 8 inches? 1996 Suzuki 1400.
>
> Because they get hot.
>
> Are they the originals or aftermarket ones? After 15 years, could be
> either.
>
> The Japanese tend to make their chrome header pipes double-skinned to
> prevent them discolouring (blue or yellow) with heat. Pattern
> manufacturers are not usually so painstaking. Single wall tubing
> discolours.
>
> If they're the originals, then the mixture is wrong and the engine is
> running seriously hot.
>
> Krusty will be along in a minute to tell you what they used on 1970s
> Suzukis.
>
>

I assume they are original since it was fairly new when I got it. Had it
a long time now. You know how you lose respect for things after you've
had them a while. Not so gentle any more. The manual says it will go 40
in first, 67 in second and 93 in third. I think I tried it a couple
times in the last two years when ****ed off. Mighta got hot.


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All is as it is.

On Apr 10, 3:22*pm, LSMFT <bole...@aol.com> wrote:

> I assume they are original since it was fairly new when I got it. Had it
> a long time now. You know how you lose respect for things after you've
> had them a while. Not so gentle any more. The manual says it will go 40
> in first, 67 in second and 93 in third. I think I tried it a couple
> times in the last two years when ****ed off. Mighta got hot.

It's *normal* for an exhaust header to reach temperatures of up to
1400 degrees F.

Read the explanation of why the chrome turns colors at the bottom of
the page.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/blue-...ome-polish.htm

` wrote:
> On Apr 10, 3:22 pm, LSMFT<bole...@aol.com> wrote:
>
>> I assume they are original since it was fairly new when I got it. Had it
>> a long time now. You know how you lose respect for things after you've
>> had them a while. Not so gentle any more. The manual says it will go 40
>> in first, 67 in second and 93 in third. I think I tried it a couple
>> times in the last two years when ****ed off. Mighta got hot.
>
> It's *normal* for an exhaust header to reach temperatures of up to
> 1400 degrees F.
>
> Read the explanation of why the chrome turns colors at the bottom of
> the page.
>
> http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/blue-...ome-polish.htm
>

I guess I have the 'golds'.

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All is as it is.

On Apr 10, 7:25*pm, LSMFT <bole...@aol.com> wrote:

> I guess I have the 'golds'.

Some mud splattered on the front exhaust pipe of my SV650S and that
prevented oxygen from getting to the hot metal evenly.

So the exhaust pipe is kind of mottled gold and purplish brown.

I'm not laying awake nights worrying about it.

` <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> On Apr 10, 1:12 pm, totallydeadmail...@yahoo.co.uk (The Lying Sack of
> **** known as Neil Murray) wrote:
>
> > If they're the originals, then the mixture is wrong and the engine is
> > running seriously hot.
>
> Bullshit.

No, accuracy. Weak mixture means extra heat. Duh.


--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Kawasaki GPz750 Honda CB400F
Triumph Street Triple Suzuki TS250ERx2 GN250.
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com

M.Badger <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Are they chrome or stainless steel?. Stainless can go a not unpleasant
> golden colour with time and heat. It really isn't anything to worry about.
>
> The original headers on my current bike were double skinned stainless, they
> took on a golden hue within a few weeks. The replacement ( single skin )
> stainless headers went gold within minutes.
>
> I thought chromed headers went blue, may be wrong on that.

Stainless goes yellow, chrome can go blue, I've seen yellowish chrome
headers. It's a matter of heat, which is why, as I said earlier, the
Japanese double-skin their chromed headers (which Krusty evidently
doesn't know).

My old BMW airheads always blued their headers because BMW didn't
double-skin them, for lightness.

No idea whether the OP's bike has chrome, stainless, titanium or bronze
headers, but unless there's excessive discolouration, it really isn't
anything to worry about, as you say.


--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Kawasaki GPz750 Honda CB400F
Triumph Street Triple Suzuki TS250ERx2 GN250.
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com