Topic: Where toget that exhaust heat tape?

[elcid]

I have seen some old school bikes that have this cloth like or fiberglass type white tape wrapped around the exhaust pipes. Well what is this for & where can I purchase it?!

[dusterdude]

any local hot rod or race car shop can get it or try jegs or summit they have it too

[elcid]

is there a website to buy this stuff? What is the tape for? what is the technical name for this tape?

[elcid]

EDIT: could not find it on "jegs" or "summit"

[dusterdude]

header wrap,www.jegs.com and www.summitracing.com.it keeps heat in the headers on cars for better performance.now on a bike im not sure if it does the same thing but it should protect the rider from burns tho

[elcid]

thanx duster dude. I found it!

[ProTeal55]

Header wrap does the same thing as having pipes ceramic coated.
Meant to keep the heat inside the pipe , and not have it escape thru the pipe itself.

Just an FYI , when you wrap your pipes. Do yourself a favor and wet the wrap overnight , to condense all the fiberglass , and
make sure you wear gloves while doing this.

I learned the hardway the first time 

[elcid]

Ok thanx proteal. so just soak it in water? how is it afixed on the pipe? it just sticks on?

[Geeto67]

Header wrap makes a little bit of a difference on the SOHC in that less heat radiates back to the oil filter (right behind the pipes). I hope you didn't like the chrome because keeping the heat in the pipe sometimes causes the chrome to blue more (not that it matters since the pipe is wrapped up). Finalyl get any other color than white. Black is probably preferred. On a bike, being out in the elements the wrap will get really dirty looking (not in a cool worn in sort of way but in a eww fried dead bug guts and road tar kinda way).

As for affixing it to the pipe, if youheader wrap doesn't come with adhesive, then you may need the clamps, kinda like hose clamps but heat reisistant.

[MRieck]

They make stainless steel zip ties to secure the wrap.

[hymodyne]

First of all, its your bike, so do whatever you want to it.

About six months ago, I was in the single dights for posts to this site, and asked questions about pods, header tape and every other sort of bell and whistle that could be purchased for these great bikes. Then I started to look closely at the pics of member's bikes on this site who have lots of stars or lots of posts, and listened (read) what they had to say about such add ons and racing bred modifications. more times than not, they did not find it necessary to do things, such as wrap headers to improve performance, yet some of these folk speak of having their bikes 20+ years or more.

If you plan to race at vintage bike runs or with the younger fuel injected brethren of our ilk, then wrap on my brother...but if not, why bother with stuff like that, especially when it means potential damage to chrome, and by some accounts, potential harm to the engine due to headers that retain too much heat. I'd scan the FAQ's and threads about tape before I did something I'd have to fix with new chrome later.

Like I said, I wanted eveything but rocket assist on my bike once I got it running, so I know you want it to go fast, we all do. Just think of the bike too.

just my thoughts. If I offend, its not intended; hit delete, and ride on.

hym

[ProTeal55]

Using header wrap will not damage anyything , except maybe the chrome finish of the pipes. I don't see this being a big deal , because you aren't gonna see the chrome anyways under the wrap. The only real "Issue" with the wrap is that if you have a oil leak on your bike , the wrap will act like a towel , and collect the drippings , which could cause a fire, but that is slim to none.

Ceramic coatings have basically all but replaced the need/want for header wrap in the past few years. It is a coating , similar to powdercoating , yet is able to handle higher temps. Allot of the American V-Twin guys cermaic coat their chrome pipes on the inside , to help keep the dreaded "blueing" away , and some guys just go ceramic black inside and out.

We had a customer who , ceramic coated both inside and outside of his pipes on his HD , and picked up alittle more than 5hp on the dyno. He ended up using black header wrap just for that oldschool look on top of the coating.

In my opinion , on these classic bikes , Black headerwrap looks great. Fits the overall look of the bike. If you are going for all out performance , spend the money , get yourself a good 4 into 1 pipe , and have it professionally ceramic coated inside and out. That will give you the most HP gain.

[MRieck]

I had HPC ceramic coat(inside and out) on 2 of my exhaust systems (including my CB). I highly recommend it.

[MRieck]

First of all, its your bike, so do whatever you want to it.

About six months ago, I was in the single dights for posts to this site, and asked questions about pods, header tape and every other sort of bell and whistle that could be purchased for these great bikes. Then I started to look closely at the pics of member's bikes on this site who have lots of stars or lots of posts, and listened (read) what they had to say about such add ons and racing bred modifications. more times than not, they did not find it necessary to do things, such as wrap headers to improve performance, yet some of these folk speak of having their bikes 20+ years or more.

If you plan to race at vintage bike runs or with the younger fuel injected brethren of our ilk, then wrap on my brother...but if not, why bother with stuff like that, especially when it means potential damage to chrome, and by some accounts, potential harm to the engine due to headers that retain too much heat. I'd scan the FAQ's and threads about tape before I did something I'd have to fix with new chrome later.

Like I said, I wanted eveything but rocket assist on my bike once I got it running, so I know you want it to go fast, we all do. Just think of the bike too.

just my thoughts. If I offend, its not intended; hit delete, and ride on.

hym

I can't think of anything I haven't done to improve performance!

[Geeto67]

I think the original poster just wanted to do it for looks. I suggested it might have a small effect on improving cooling and it would definatly cover up ugly pipes. It is not an hp bolt on, just one of those things that looks cool and has the added benefit of actually doing somethign positive.

[ProTeal55]

Geeto67 --->

I agree with ya 100% . Exhaust wrap is a great way to make a old set of pipes look new again , and get alittle more bang for your buck performance wise.

I was going to wrap my stock 2 into 2 exhaust , but by the time I ordered the wrap and clamps , I can get a 4 into 1 allready coated black for the same $ $ $ . I think a 4 into 1 is in my future come spring....

[jurob]

big disadvantage of a header wrap it it will trap moisture between the pipe and the wrap. they will be trashed in about 3 years with pin hole rust and worse.

there is a reason that header wrap voids most exhaust warranties. and the cheap mac type steel just won't last.

if your doing it for looks and don't mind replacing your exhaust, go for it. if the heat bothers you (pretty mild to me) then get them ceramic coated (pricey).

[ProTeal55]

Any decent shop will ceramic coat an exhaust for these bikes for around $200 or less.
If you are paying more than that , you are getting hosed.....