Disappearing Chrome

[King55]

Only 400 miles of run in speeds and my lovely chrome headers are fast disappearing from the barrels downwards and i paid extra for the privilege. Even in the good olé days even my CBX 1000 had double skin headers and the chrome stayed put

think there's a warranty claim brewing

Am i the only one or are all the anniversary's the same ?

 

[PaulW21781]

By disappearing, do you mean actually peeling?

I'm neigh on 400 miles myself, but no issues so far. I didn't originally want the chrome, but as I did want the free luggage, the only bike I could have 3 days before the last day of the free luggage offer was one with chrome Ahwell!

 

[bowser]

Only 400 miles of run in speeds and my lovely chrome headers are fast disappearing from the barrels downwards and i paid extra for the privilege. Even in the good olé days even my CBX 1000 had double skin headers and the chrome stayed put

think there's a warranty claim brewing

Am i the only one or are all the anniversary's the same ?

Just as a point why would anyone pay extra for chrome over stainless steel, in every other field of motorcycling you pay extra for a stainless exhaust system only BMW owners would pay for chrome over SS, I dont wish to be rude but are you completly MAD ?

 

[Bmmike08]

Chrome 1200GS pipes

All chrome pipes will "blue". Has yours just "blued" or is the chrome peeling off?

If only "blued" you can polish this out with Autosol and a "very" fine wire wool.
Then polish again - I use an old sock wrapped around the pipes.
On my June 2010 R1200GSA with chrome pipes (supplied as only one available at short notice - I would have preferred ordinary stainless headers) after 7000 miles I still get my pipes to shine but they do blue off again each ride.
See photo.
Mike

 

[Davy F]

in the good olé days even my CBX 1000 had double skin headers and the chrome stayed put

You've really answered your question yourself. The header pipes are not double skinned and the chrome will blue. You can do as the above post or even waste your money on a powder 'cure' called Blue Stuff, but the end effect will be that within a very short time, the blueing will return. It's not a warrenty claim either as 'They all do that, Sir' springs to mind. Once you get your head round the blueing, just think of it as 'character'.

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Mine blued on the way home from the dealers I like it

 

[Davy F]

GS brand spanky new and lovely unmarked chrome headers.

GS with almost 25k not long before she went to a new home. No peeling, just lovely blue headers.

 

[King55]

Oh well looks like im going to have to live with it, i like the 'they all do that sir' reply

Has anybody brought out any stainless cat eliminator pipes that match up to the power valve ??

might be worth a try.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I don't do chrome and I don't do shiney so my headers are a lovely dull matt stainless

 

[PaulW21781]

I don't do chrome and I don't do shiney so my headers are a lovely dull matt stainless

You not thought about wrapping them then?

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Why?

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

You not thought about wrapping them then?

Hey, the 'Bobber' GS look - could start a whole new trend

Andres

 

[Ash]

You not thought about wrapping them then?

tin foil
cheap and renew when needed

 

[luckylucian]

At the risk of being shot down in flames (no pun intended) I seem to remember reading on a harley site where they sprayed ceramic heat resistant paint into the headers before fitting, this stopped the aftermarket header pipes turning blue

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Yep I've used that stuff. It comes in a bottle and you're supposed to pour it into the pipes to coat them inside before they are first used on the bike


It doesn't work

 

[Yonkyo]

Oh well looks like im going to have to live with it, i like the 'they all do that sir' reply

Has anybody brought out any stainless cat eliminator pipes that match up to the power valve ??

might be worth a try.

Here you go...new for the 2010 GS's
http://www.calsport.co.uk/BMW/4273-2010-R_1200_GS__Adventure_10_/28-Exhausts/Remus/115430

 

[wust588]

I might be wrong here, but I think you'll find that all the pipes are stainless steel, but with the option of chrome plating on top, for effect.
Bmw have been doing it for years.

 

[velofelo29]

Try this fix

Years of British bike ownership meant living with "blued" exhaust pipes where they exit the cylinder head. One of the best fixes was to wrap several layers of thick copper wire around the pipe for a distance of approximately 40mm (or even a bit more) from the head, ideally you want this wrapping to be about 6mm thick. This acts as a heat sink and does work. A quick rub with Brasso shines the copper up nicely and doesn't look out of place. Don't know about modern stuff as the exhaust gas will be hotter but it costs nothing to try and will definitely lower the temperature.
Was selling a BM once where I had done this and the prospective buyer stated, "this was advertised in good nick, didn't expect the exhausts to be tied on with wire". Say no more

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

they are all stainless just some with chrome on. If you dont go for the chrome option then the headers usually look like the inside of a sewer. Stainless still corrodes its just it only does it on the surface.

 

[R17GSR]

as previously stated, stainless pipes go brown, chrome pipes go blue, your choise for colour, if you dislike both wrap them in exhaust bandage, any colour you like.