Header Pipe Angst

Discussion in 'Triumph General Discussion' started by learningtofly, Nov 7, 2020.

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  1. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    I was out on the bike a couple of days ago, and stopped to enjoy my surroundings and have a vape. I noticed, though, that what had been some very, very light "pitting" near the top of the headers had become quite a lot worse.

    I have no idea why it's happened but is there a likely reason and/or anything I can do now to stop if progressing? You can see it - its the same on both pipes, incidentally - in the photos below.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  2. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    #2 learningtofly, Nov 7, 2020
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2020
    As far as I know the pipes on the R model are brushed stainless steel (whereas on the standard model they're chromed). I stand to be corrected, though.
     
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  3. ChrisJHuff

    ChrisJHuff Well-Known Member

    Sep 2, 2020
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    a tad annoying when trying to keep the bike looking as good as you can.....is it discolouration or physical pitting ?....both sides ?? really shouldn't have pitted....had problems with my 2004 bonnie pipes discolouring but not pitting.....
     
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  4. Don the Don

    Don the Don Bigger Than The Average Bear

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    #4 Don the Don, Nov 7, 2020
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2020
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  5. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    It's completely smooth so appears to be discolouration rather than pitting. I'll pop it into Triumph North London when I can, though, and get them to take a look at it. Yes, both sides.
     
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  6. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    I'll see what Triumph have to say about it first, and then think about the options. I'd probably wrap rather than replace or coat, though, as I don't want to throw money at it.
     
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  7. MARKYMARKTHREE

    MARKYMARKTHREE Senior Member

    Feb 11, 2020
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    Doug Taylor is a great place for chroming but he is down here in bumpkin land, near Weston On The Mud. Not sure why they say "chrome-plating-london", i shall have to ask next time i see them at a show.

    As to wrapping i wonder if all that will do is hide the problem and possibly make the corrosion worse as the wrap will retain moisture. I have seen a few wraps removed from cars after a few years and the down pipes were in a right state.
     
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  8. andypandy

    andypandy Crème de la Crème

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    It's hard to tell from the picture. Get some solvol autosol and a piece of tea towel and give a small area a good rub. If it's discolouration you will soon find out.
     
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  9. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    Thanks, but they’re not chromed now so wouldn’t want to go down that route. You’re probably right about wrapping, though.
     
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  10. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    Yes, that’s my thinking at the moment.
     
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  11. andypandy

    andypandy Crème de la Crème

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    If they are stainless steel it should be easy to get them back.
     
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  12. Adie P

    Adie P Crème de la Crème

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    If they're chromed (they LOOK more like stainless to me ... but that's just my opinion and we all know what opinions equate to!) then I'd suggest using BELGOM ALU rather than Solvol. Solvol paste is a lot more abrasive than Belgom. Test on a small area first, though. If they ARE stainless and you want something a little more aggressive that shouldn't leave heavy abrasion marks try this ...

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ronseal-32622-Colron-Steel-Wool/dp/B003YGOGGQ

    ... it's a polishing grade wire wool. If you've got a Homebase nearby they usually stock it and, last time I bought some (it's great for denibbing varnish), it was a lot less than the £12.99 on Amazon! Do make sure you're getting 'FIVE O' grade, though - anything less is probably too abrasive!

    Good luck - hope you get it sorted - that's a ha'porth of tar at the moment!
     
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  13. ChrisJHuff

    ChrisJHuff Well-Known Member

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    solvol and really crumpled old newspaper...that should take care of discolouration... i wouldn't wrap them it would spoil the looks of a lovely bike
     
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  14. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    Right - decision made, and Solvol on the way. I'm still annoyed about it, though.
     
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  15. Tosgha

    Tosgha Noble Member

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    I have a similar problem on the Speed Twin pipes which definitely are stainless and the clue is in the name 'less'. The pitting seems to propagate along the welds where the tube has been joined along its length. I used an 800 grit wet and dry to flatten the seams and restore the brushed finish once in a while.
     
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  16. MadMrB

    MadMrB Elite Member

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    As has already been said, its discolouration and will polish out, but afterwards you will probably need to use some scotch brite to re-establish the brushed finish.
     
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  17. covid-21

    covid-21 Well-Known Member

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    If you want to go down the exhaust wrap route then I can recommend the DEI brand Titanium wrap. After 3 years on an S40, it is as shiny and beautiful as the day I put it on, as opposed to the white crappy wrap that is currently on my Street Twin.
     
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  18. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    Well, I should probably wrap this one up, actually, if only because it might be useful for anyone else with the same issue. Anyway, the Solvol arrived a few days ago and I set about the pipes with a Scotchbrite pad.

    Before...

    [​IMG]

    After...

    [​IMG]

    About 10 minutes per pipe.
     
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  19. TEZ 217

    TEZ 217 Crème de la Crème

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    That's a great job well done and only 20 mins job's a good-un :cool::cool:
     
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  20. Don the Don

    Don the Don Bigger Than The Average Bear

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    Nice job and an easy one too
     
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