Topic: Header Wrap

[Pinhead]

I've seen quite a few bikes on here that are using some type of header wrap. I like the look. However, while I understand the theory of keeping the exhaust temperatures high to maintain gas velocity, I have also read of drawbacks.

According to this site: http://www.centuryperformance.com/heatwraps.asp

In most cases the header wrap damages the headers beyond repair.

I do realize that they're in the business of selling header coatings, so they try to make the competition look bad, but what do you all think? Would running header wrap for an extended period of time decrease your headers' lifespan?

If not, here's some cheap wrap:
http://www.aargear.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=72

[ProTeal55]

Ceramic coating is the evolution of head-wrap, plan and simple.
Both do the same thing, as far as keeping the heat INSIDE the pipe to make power,
and make the exhaust system more efficient.

In my opinion, on a classic/vintage bike such as the CB , the wrap looks more "era correct" , but if
you had your system coated, it would yield the same results..

My 4cents...

[ProTeal55]

What header wrap will do is collect water, and rust out your pipes, most of the time beyond repair, but it takes alot of years to do so.

If you scuff-up the pipes and do a few layers of rust-oleum paint BEFORE you wrap the pipes.
This will help the rust issue alittle, if it is an issue to begin with...

[DrMark]

I purchased my header wrap thru a "HEATSHIELDS" distributor here in Iowa. I paid $38 for a 2inch - 50 foot roll. It takes about 4-5 feet per 1 foot of header pipe. They also now sell colored wrap at a higher cost. Mine is standard black.
Side Note: Soak the wrap in water first before wrapping. Allows a slight amount of stretch to the tape and when it dries...tightens up really nice. You might also notice a slight amount of stream/smoke with the first running of the bike after installation. I was told not to worry about this by other folks who have installed the same product.

I also used the stainless steel ties from Harbor Freight. Bought 20 of the 8" size for $4. Hope this helps! DrMark

[Pinhead]

I wouldn't think rust from the outside would be an issue because the pipes get so hot all of the water would boil away. I could see it holding water when it's sitting, though, but mine doesn't sit for more than a couple of days.

I'd be more worried about heat fatigue.

Painting them with high-temp paint is a good idea, but would it really stick at such high temperatures?

Soaking the wrap to make it stretch is a good idea. Thanks!

[Boomologist]

Just curious here, wasn't header wrap originally designed for two stroke engines running expansion chambers? I don't understand how holding the heat in a four stroke system could help with power.
Please explain.

[Pinhead]

As the exhaust gasses cool, they become more dense. Dense air is harder to move than hot, thin air. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess it helps the most at high RPM/WOT.

[ProTeal55]

I would DEF. soak the wrap before u use it. You are able to get a tighter wrap, as well as it keeps the fiberglass particles down to a minimun. Also WEAR GLOVES when you do this, or you will be sorry afterwards. If you have ever had fiberglass on your skin, u know what I am talking about...

I don't understand how holding the heat in a four stroke system could help with power.

Header wrap and ceramic coating are one in the same , they do have the same effect.
In an exhaust system , you want to the heat/exhaust to run it's course and exit outta the tailpipe.
On an Uncoated/Un-Wrapped system, the heat of the exhaust gets transfered into the pipe, and the entire
exhaust system becomes less functional. Go walk around the pits of NHRA, and you will see that EVERY racer has his exhaust ceramic coated, to get every last HP outta their powerplant. Now its all ceramic coating, where 20 years ago everything was headerwrapped.

Headerwrap just looks cooler on a bike in my opinion, vs. ceramic coating....

[brad weingartner]

I further concur on soaking the header wrap. It will make it much easier. There are several things you can do to prevent or rather slow the corrosion of the pipes on our bikes. The first one, is, suprisingly, ceramic coating the pipe first. The high temp 2000+ degree coatings are fantastic corrosion inhibitors. Furthermore, by coating the inside also, you prevent a certain amount of heat from ever getting to the pipe, helping with heat fatigue. One thing to consider on motorcycles, is because the header is not welded to a flange, or really welded at all to almost the end of the exhaust, heat fatigue isn't as much of a concern. Welds usually break long before the pipe itself rots out. Another tip I've seen used sucessfully with header wrap is to wrap it, cycle the wrap a few times to set it up and work out the moisture from the installation, then liberally coat the wrapped head with high-temp exhaust paint. This was an instruction right off a package of VHT Exhaust wrap and it helps seal the wrap from moisture retention.

If you wrap and coat, you'll get the best of both worlds IMO. High performance characteristics of ceramic coating, the look of header wrap, plus a cooler running engine because of virtually no heat radiated from the header in front of the engine. Keep in mind, most ceramic coating warrantees don't apply when used with header wrap.

[Pinhead]

How much does it cost to get your pipes ceramic coated?

[Andoo]

What if you coated the head pipe and wraped it after? Is that keeping in too much heat?

[Pinhead]

That's exactly what brad weingartner suggested.

[ProTeal55]

How much does it cost to get your pipes ceramic coated?

The last thing I had ceramic coated was a set of 2 1/2 headers and a full exhaust for my last racecar.
I got the entire thing coated inside and out , and had them polish it (almost chrome) for $250.
I cant see a set of pipes for a CB being more than $100 tops to be coated, depending on where you have it done.

Another tip I've seen used successfully with header wrap is to wrap it, cycle the wrap a few times to set it up and work out the moisture from the installation, then liberally coat the wrapped head with high-temp exhaust paint.

I also agree with this step.
My buddy Danny with the Triumph bobber painted his white headwrap black with some high-temp paint around the start of the riding season , and still looks like he just sprayed it.

I highly doubt their would be any REAL advantage to having a set of pipes professionally ceramic coated and wrapping them.
I would say one or the other is fine, but if you guys wanna spend the $$ , knock yourselves out 

[RSV12K]

I can't see the point of both ceramic coating and heat wrap (it's as redundant as belt and suspenders). Wrapping is cheaper, anyway, and I think it looks more authentic on a cafe racer. I wrapped mine and then painted them with a high-temp exhaust paint (good for 2000 degrees).

I don't ride when it rains but if I were caught out, the wrap would dry within minutes of my getting home so I don't see the it contributing to  corrosion. I wouldn't spend the money to coat my cheapo Mac exhaust anyway--it's not worth it.

[ProTeal55]

I wouldn't spend the money to coat my cheapo Mac exhaust anyway--it's not worth it.

Thats how I feel.
I am not gonna spend $100 to coat a $200 exhaust.
But as I said , to each their own...

[ProTeal55]

With all this talk of header wrap I got a bug up my ass and wrapped my 4 into 1 eariler.
I had some left over from before, and had to borrow some of the old.
Alittle black high heat paint , and you cant tell which wrap was used and which was new 

After a 150 mile ride in the city (which I just got back from) ,the black paint is still holding, and looks brand new.
Pics to come later(I am going to bed)...

[brad weingartner]

I can't see the point of both ceramic coating and heat wrap (it's as redundant as belt and suspenders). Wrapping is cheaper, anyway, and I think it looks more authentic on a cafe racer. I wrapped mine and then painted them with a high-temp exhaust paint (good for 2000 degrees).

I don't ride when it rains but if I were caught out, the wrap would dry within minutes of my getting home so I don't see the it contributing to  corrosion. I wouldn't spend the money to coat my cheapo Mac exhaust anyway--it's not worth it.

Well, the idea is for people who like the look of header wrap (myself included) but also like the benefits of ceramic coatings. If you shop around, ceramic coatings aren't that pricey. Plus, in installations (less common on the honda inline 4s) where the exhaust comes in close proximity to your body as is found on lots of harleys for example, coating and wrapping makes for an exhaust that radiates a suprisingly little amount of heat.

Besides, Whether you do it to a $100 exhaust or a $1000 exhaust, the benefits are the same.

[edosm]

Looking for advice..

How many feet of Header Wrap does it take to wrap a CB750 4 into 1 exhaust? would a 50ft by 1" wrap cover all 4 pipes...looking to cover all the way down header untill it combines into 1 (single) pipe.

Thanks
Mike

[Daves_76_SS]

I bought a 50 X 2 roll and ran out just as I finished.  The perfect amount!

[Goldbug]

Just curious here, wasn't header wrap originally designed for two stroke engines running expansion chambers? I don't understand how holding the heat in a four stroke system could help with power.
Please explain.

Heat is principly what makes the exhaust go out the tip, the more heat, the more velocity, etc. The more heat you can force out the tip, rather than the pipe wall, the more efficient your exhaust is. How much difference does it make? Who knows. But I like the look so I'm going to do it.

[ProTeal55]

Wrap on my brother !

[sparty]

How far down the header should you wrap the glass?  I was thinking of wraping mine completely to the end of the header.

Sparty

[ProTeal55]

How far down the header should you wrap the glass? I was thinking of wraping mine completely to the end of the header.

I think it is more than a looks thing than anything. Some people wrap just the headers, some wrap the tntire thing.
I wrapped just the primaries of my 4 into 1 , and am happy with the mimimal looks to it, where others wrap the entire head all the way to the can. To each their own , but i would atleast do the better part of the primaries, thus wear the most heat is lost...

[BlindJoe]

On the 4-1 stock exhaust ('77 550 SS)  is it necessary ( or even possible) to remove the headers from the adapter and wrap them individually, or do you just wrap each one as much as possible then start wrapping again from where the individual wrap ends to where  the muffler begins? Hopefully you understand what I'm trying to say

[hymodyne]

I've got it on my headers and running down to the beginning of the expansion chambers. I sprayed them with the suggested wrap sealer. so far, so good.

hym