Rust in Tips

[dt]

This is annoying. I was going over the bike tightening nuts, bolts and screws last night (it’s a Harley   ) and I noticed rust in the exhaust tips. I guess the way they’re set up, that could happen, but rust naturally annoys me. And to be honest, that picture somehow makes it look much worse than it is. Two questions:

What do you think would be a good fix for that?

Do you know of some accessory specifically made to cover pipe tips whilst parked outside, such as could be the case on a trip?



p.s. those aren't inserts.


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To clarify the second question, note that the pipes are pointed north west. That coupled with the little well in the tip seems to be asking for trouble. Obviously, a full cover would do the trick, but I can envision scenarios where I couldn't lug a full cover around. So what's out there?

[mrbones]

I would take a small dremel wire wheel in there and remove the rust, then paint it with low gloss engine paint. Mask it off good and just spray it. Then it won't rust again.

I've seen plugs for dirt bike exhausts but that wouldn't cover the whole thing up. A shower cap would work as long as it doesn't melt when you first put it on.

[dt]

Do you mean to tell me that no one has come up with some cool heat-resistant and waterproof sock to put over pipes like this when you get caught out in the rain?

I think we may have a business opportunity here.

[poconoedd]

I have lerned that sometimes you can't fight things, so I would clean it up and then paint the whole exposed part with a heat resistant paint, perhaps black or a color to match the bike.,, It would probably look pretty good.   Good luck and have a safe ride .

[dt]

Thanks Poconoedd and welcome to the forum! 

You’re right, it’s not worth fighting. I’m planning on cleaning it out good and hit it with some high-heat paint. I was contemplating what I was going to do today ... that might be a good little project.

[EDT]

As I spoke before, I looked at my bike, and thought that black would be my choice, as often we get soot and dirt build up as we ride and would hide any color.  After all, when we get where we are going, we want the bike to look good, without having to wipe it off

[dt]

As I spoke before, I looked at my bike, and thought that black would be my choice, as often we get soot and dirt build up as we ride and would hide any color.  After all, when we get where we are going, we want the bike to look good, without having to wipe it off

Hey EDT ... welcome to the Forum!

Agree, but I think this is something I'm going to be doing again, so I got some orange and black high-heat. 

The other thing I'm going to try here shortly is a the baking soda in the bead blaster deal, that was discussed here in the tech tips. If that's not enough for the rust, I've run some 80 grade glass and will try not to destroy anything. I'll see if I have something chrome to take a whack at and see what happens. Otherwise, on chrome, I use a very fine Scotch-Brite Pad with regular old polish. I also have some Scotch-Brite wheels for the Dremel tool that I use on rims and tight places. I've heard vinegar is good at cleaning chrome, too.

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[EDT]

Sounds like a great plan.  Let me know how it comes out.

[dcameras]

Welcome to the forum EDT and poconoedd.. 

[dt]

I got the tips cleaned out, taped them off and put on a coat of orange high heat. After studying it for about an hour, the next three coats were black. 

I used VHT Flame Proof, comes in a rattle can from Autozone. I’ve used it on lots of pipes, including header pipes, and it’s always worked well. There’s a cure procedure that you have to go through or apparently it’ll come off.



Click here for rust removal:

http://bikerflorida.com/forum/index.php/topic,309.msg7944/topicseen.html#msg7944

Until the next time…

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[dcameras]

Nice job.. 

[mrbones]

Looking good!

[EDT]

Looks like another great job done by a dedicated biker who won't give up until its done right