Crap on header pipes

wjrich · Jun 1, 2014

Anybody have a good solution for this?

Got the bike up and running today, and coming back from a ride, was maneuvering into the garage. Header pipe made contact with my mechanic's creeper (foreground), and the vinyl melted on the header pipe. Pissed me off since the pipes aren't blued out, now this.

Any thoughts on how to fix/clean?

pete.v · Jun 1, 2014

It is possible that after a few heat cycles it will fall off.

concours · Jun 1, 2014

Many pantleg/bootsole incidents I read about, many home remedies... good luck

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.p ... elted+pipe

htown16 · Jun 1, 2014

Try some acetone. Since the material was plastic, that will probably dissolve it. Most autoparts stores carry it in their paint section.

Jed · Jun 1, 2014

Maquires metal cleaner works but takes plenty of elbow grease (and time) as well and levave pipes cold
Inox and WD40 will give varying degrees of success, avoid metal cleaners like autsolve as they are too abrasive take layers of chrome off
Good for aluminium etc but not chrome

Robert_Norton · Jun 2, 2014

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A dremel tool or similar power tool with an appropriately soft brush attachment should remove it quite easily.

Anything metal may damage the chrome, so if you decide to use a brass brush I'd first test it on an out of the way place on the pipe.

Even a soft buffing wheel at high speed would probably take it off quickly.

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kommando · Jun 2, 2014

Been there and got the T shirt, wait until it cools and try picking at it with fingernails, for me once I lifted it at one corner it started to lift before cracking and then I had to start picking again so it cam off cleanly in stages, finish off with polish.

olChris · Jun 2, 2014

Whilst commisioning my 72 i stuck my size 11 boot on the new L/H AN muffler and left some (heaps) melted residue that i didnt notice for a while.... (bukin rear sets)

Cos of the cylinderical shape of the muffler i got a "NEW" stanley blade cut/shaved it of with multiple longditudanal strokes and it did not scar or affect the chrome. (why would it being gentle)..

Then there was the bluing from extreme retardation, but that another story!! But without abrasives removed with time..

Hope this helps..

Biscuit · Jun 2, 2014

Yup, what olChris said would be what I'd try. Had just this query come up on the Triumph Speed forum and it worked. I realize the Triumph's pipes are s/s while the Norton's are chromed so use will take some care. I used a single edged razor blade.

Johnnymac · Jun 2, 2014

I had same thing happen on my bonneville. My pipes made contact with the motorcycle cover and melted on the headers. EasyOff oven cleaner took it right of. Just don't get it on your paint.