Wrapping exhaust

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judah said:
[album]466[/album]

heres an example of a good wrapped exhaust. . but waaaaaay too "weird shit" for the old farts who can't stand mods to nortons. I'm having a very similar custom leather seat made for mine as we speak.
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This Canadian bike was discussed on the forum a few months ago, it being their first one. The header pipes were shortened to fit in with short rear mudguard and much shortened tail loop. The mufflers and mudguards were black to fit with the wrap. However that ridiculous rear light spoils things if they had spent a bit more time on it it could have been done better.
As for being in the old farts category ,it's a living!
I love Norton mods , I've done a few.

I'm just not a great fan of bobbers.
tomspro said:
judah said:
[album]465[/album]
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I LIKE IT!

Purists are (by definition) very closed-minded. Who cares what others 'like' when it is YOUR bike.
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Thanks for the compliment, but it's my mind it doesn't think for others ,when you do your seat make sure it's comfy! Best of good wishes with your 750. J
 
judah said:
i wrapped mine. for a couple reasons.

1. cosmetic (the pipes were fine but had turned blue/gold/brown near the head, like they all do with heat and time) and i just didn't love how it looked. and i like the look of the wrap.

2. safety. mainly my kids. i have 2 small ones who LOVE to play on the bike and if I've just been riding and its super hot…

[album]465[/album]
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I like the way it looks on your bike. I am only thinking about doing it for cosmetic (and economical) reasons at this time.
The look fits your bike as it is painted black. Im not so sure how it would look on mine.

I really dont get the weird cartoon posted prior to this. Something wrong there.
Odd sense of humor I guess. Whatever
 
My colorful fur cartoon was a spoof back at the negative recoiling reactions posted at maker of a nicely made Commando w/o bright chrome headers showing. What might be best of both worlds - wrapped for its benefits then cover with outer big tubeage chrome as so many other brands do. Wonder if Norton in current world would have standing to sue those altering their product w/o taking the Norton name off too. Fur might not burn or melt on a outer tube but might smell-look like old wet dog or hippy after a rain.
 
Exhaust wrap is also used with classic (vintage) cars to reduce underbonnet temperatures.

Temperatures have increased with the changes in the content of fuels, which has made existing problems worse. Problems like fuel vaporisation, particularly when the vehicle has stopped or is in slow moving traffic. I have this problem on a 1956 MG and plan to wrap the manifold and downpipe.

The SS zip ties are designed for expensive special tools, but they work OK if you follow this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf8oIF_3s4E

I have fitted wrap to the stainless high level pipes on my race bike, mainly to safeguard me!, but also because the pipes run inside a fairing and under the carb float bowls!

Technically it is a race rule infringement to make a cold air box and to duct cooler and more dense air under any pressure above ambient to the inlets, but the lower the air temperature near these inlets the better. Heat insulation of the exhaust and ducting external air to an open area around the inlets is OK with the current rules.

The issue of noise is also of interest as wrapping may dampen the measured noise at race meetings. Important because exceeding noise limits can exclude you from racing that day. A half a db reduction from the wrap will maybe save you from having to insert a baffle and lose some power. Taking care that you are positioned between the inlets and the meter held by the tester might give another half db too!

Personally I would not want to see it on a standard spec road bike, but for bobbers, flat trackers and stuff.....each to his own....
 
If you do not think you will like the look of the wrap then polish the headers.

Wrapping exhaust


Wrapping exhaust


drill press, buffing wheel and brown/white buffing compound , they came out a nice chrome straw color

Dennis
 
+1 on everything above. You'll also find wrap locks in moisture. I've only used it on high pipes to keep away from using heat shields, but it is not cheap stuff. For a price of some of the nicer wrap, you can just get a fairly new set of used norton headers. A brand new set is only like $190 shipped.

If you want to just clean them up, 0000 steel wool and WD40 will quickly remove most rust and pitting (but it will come back unless you're a little diligent with it, if the pits are deep). If there's some really bad patches/discolouration you can use the buffing wheel trick above, but bear in mind it does actually abrade the chrome. If it's anything worse than that, you can usually toss a stone on ebay and hit 4-5 people selling used headers. You'll find that many people won't even use headers with a small dent or in need of 0000 steel wool, so finding decent sets is not that hard.
 
hobot said:
My colorful fur cartoon was a spoof back at the negative recoiling reactions posted at maker of a nicely made Commando w/o bright chrome headers showing. What might be best of both worlds - wrapped for its benefits then cover with outer big tubeage chrome as so many other brands do. Wonder if Norton in current world would have standing to sue those altering their product w/o taking the Norton name off too. Fur might not burn or melt on a outer tube but might smell-look like old wet dog or hippy after a rain.
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Yours was not the one I was referring to. Its the Alice in Wonderland one that has me worried.
 
MikeM said:
Yours was not the one I was referring to. Its the Alice in Wonderland one that has me worried.
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wouldn't worry a about it, there is always an appropriate flip side, just as flattering,

what a bike looks like or is going to be is a very individual thing that is well entrenched and if a huge issue here, only a mater of time before like minded folks move on,

no way i'd keep a 19" rear on a commando
 
Exhaust Wrap, good stuff , has many uses here's a few.
Wrapping exhaust


Wrapping exhaust


Wrapping exhaust


Only one of which I would recommend . J
 
I had the "opportunity" to apply miles if this stuff http://www.fiberfrax.com/files/Fiberfra ... xtiles.pdf 35 years ago, while fabricating high temp ductwork, thermal oxidizers, etc. (Glad if I never handle another stitch of it :shock: ) Quite a while later, I started seeing it become commonplace on race car headers. I've seen very special, custom tailored "turbo wraps" and the like, but the industrial ceramic tape allowed inexpensive thermal wrapping. Asbestos was used prior I think, in things like marine/stationary engine exhausts, albeit for comfort/safety reasons, not performance. The whole "bobber/steampunk/sawzall customized" motorcycle thing doesn't move me in any way like a motorcycle should, the header wrapping is a part of that. It strikes me as phony, fake, lame attempts at customizing by destroying. (JMWO)
As for "customizing", I fully respect that each person has a different idea of beauty/function, and to that end, have a Monster Garage party :mrgreen: I have, in the past modified LOTS of things with engines. :twisted:
However, when this fad fades, (again) just like the chopper craze of the 60's-70's, a trail of nearly zero value hacked up bikes remains. If these bikes are being made out of rusted rescues from behind a shed, well then, no loss. When decent bikes fall victim to the Sawzall, it's tragic. :(
Again, no disrespect to those who choose to "customize", just the worthless ramblings of another old phart. :p
 
Dennis C said:
If you do not think you will like the look of the wrap then polish the headers.

Wrapping exhaust


Wrapping exhaust


drill press, buffing wheel and brown/white buffing compound , they came out a nice chrome straw color

Dennis
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That looks awesome. Love how that came out. Nice job!
 
I wrapped the headers on my BSA R3... I din't find it spoiled the originality much...

Wrapping exhaust


:mrgreen:
 
Guess its settled then - burl lap textured headers may be ok on any other brand but not a Commando so better rubbed back shiney again and again till so thin it rusts all the way through than face public snearing. Might try the ole Al foil rub + mild acid found tangy colas or vinegar while saving up for universal accepted appearance. If ya do wrap I guess you now know not to show it or even admit to it here. I snagged some of this and rather pleased with its scope of uses

https://www.google.com/#q=strongarm+header+rust
 
Fast Eddie said:
I wrapped the headers on my BSA R3... I din't find it spoiled the originality much...

Wrapping exhaust


:mrgreen:
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An arrow pointing to the original part would be helpful ;-)
 
hobot said:
Guess its settled then - burl lap textured headers may be ok on any other brand but not a Commando so better rubbed back shiney again and again till so thin it rusts all the way through than face public snearing. Might try the ole Al foil rub + mild acid found tangy colas or vinegar while saving up for universal accepted appearance. If ya do wrap I guess you now know not to show it or even admit to it here. I snagged some of this and rather pleased with its scope of uses

https://www.google.com/#q=strongarm+header+rust
Click to expand...

Steve
I ain't cutting the cheese just yet , but maybe still no got to the stage of disguising my bikes to be something they just isn't , somewhere between a bag of nails and concours is ok for me. For me a rusty swing arm bolted to a new flanged ally rim can make for yin guan just the same as any other piece of after market stuff you can buy for a hundred or two to give a public snearing or universal accepted appearance especially if your broke down at the side of the road waiting for moto assist .

J
 
ridder j, Appreciate the lighter side of retaining things beyond their prime. At least two things will be age old ugly on Peel, rubbed raw stem number plate and carpenter square rear loop braces. I'm surprised at my own reaction of how long in tooth obsolete ungainly undesirable even a dusty dirty Commando appears to me, even w/o any oil weeps and more so with rusted parts yokes fasteners rims and exhausts and some paint mares here and there. When plain Jane Trixie is clean and parts all decent she gets all kinds of complements by store and station people how good looking which of course pleases me as matches my sense too, until arrival back home looks almost too antiquated sloppy defunct to hop on. I've seen a brand new delivered CNW hung on back of a van, where it drew a hand full of us all spell bound jaw dropped eyes widened hurting jaws grins just staring and staring as if captured UFO Steampunk stunner captured. I'm vain as anyone so so relate to reflex reactions of poopooers' and know that once the spiff up process starts there is no full satisfaction til no unattended finishes left. Even Wesley has picked up my drill buffer to start to shine his '71 but soon realizes it only highlights the places missed till covers off in hand.

On the other hand at big rallyes we get to see untouched 40-50-60+100 yr old cycles Nortons included that are completely covered in oil cake and rust yet are knock out things of beauty in a league of their own and running sweet as can be. Extremists in all directions takes time to decide to get there.
 
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