blue pipes

I have noticed on two bikes that the pipes seem to be turning blue, more than usual. Is it something in the gas formula or perhaps in the chroming process that's changed?

I put brand new headers on, from the same supplier, some time back.
I sprayed the insides of both with high-temp paint. The right side went blue quickly, the left hardly changed at all. Quit thinking about it many miles ago.

I thought blue pipes meant a lean condition ..... maybe just an urban legend .... never had the problem so really no experience just what I have heard over the years
Craig

My understanding is, on chromed pipes, looking at the bend nearest the head;

No color or light gold, straw= too rich
Med blue = Good
Dark blue= Too Lean
Assuming everything else is in good working order.

Pete

I thought it was retarded timing.

So , some truth to the urban myth ? .... always kinda figured blue wasn't great , didn't realize there was varying degrees of bad .....certainly makes sense though , such is life , eh ....
Craig

pete.v said:

I thought it was retarded timing.

Click to expand...

You are correct, that's why I ended with "if everything else was in good working order". Unless the OP is running points that are set (timed) incorrectly I would image that both pipes would be the same color, and possibly have other issues other that just different colored pipes. I fixed that same issue with my bike by changing needle positions. Rt side is in top groove, left is on bottom groove. I think I have a worn needle/jet on the rt side. Next time I have the carbs apart I plan on installing new needles and/or jets.

So many opinions on this, some argue that pipes should be slightly blued if engine is well tuned.... my new SS headers were thoroughly treated inside with multiple coats of ceramic, and properly heat cycled. My plugs show good state of tune, and the headers have only slightly turned straw coloured

acadian said:

So many opinions on this, some argue that pipes should be slightly blued if engine is well tuned.... my new SS headers were thoroughly treated inside with multiple coats of ceramic, and properly heat cycled. My plugs show good state of tune, and the headers have only slightly turned straw coloured

Click to expand...

Which is what stainless does. But stainless can be cleaned and re=polished to look new whereas blued chrome can only be removed with products like "Blue-Away" which also removes the chrome. Single-layer chromed pipesx are almost certain to blue att some point. The only thi ng to watch out for is if they blue all the way down the front to where the pipe turns under the engine. that's a too lean/too retarded deal.

An olde trick was to wrap heavy copper wire ( about 1/8 Dia. ) around the first few inches at the head , to disapate the heat .

Riding like old women , you might not get the discolouration , but a good ' wottle she do ' , the heat hangs about for a few blocks / miles ,
so on a dark night you might see the pipes a dull red , cruseing in after . Or if the throttle sticks full open in neutral. im Told .



In this mag. ( I think 0 there a picture of a Ghibli engine on the Dyno .
The Headers are WHITE HOT . Bar red at a few tighter areas where theres a little restriction .

Indicative of the punisment inflicted on the internals , like valves & piston crown , rings etc .
And may explain why the pipes colour up nicely .



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qhSZDIng_0

One can imagine wotitslike , throttle on the stop airborne , or dogfighting . Not a good place to put your finger .

Even if it is a Honda .



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Rtf17sFgE