Stain-"Less" Headers

[The Spaceman_imp]

The first time I saw a CB in the wild was in the Honda tent at Daytona Bike Week last year. The bike's headers were covered with brown stains. I figured it must have been ridden down a dirt road just before they loaded it on the truck for the show, and nobody bothered to clean it up.

Of course it turns out the header pipes get brown, crappy-looking stains every time I ride in the wet. I assume everyone else's does too. If this were a knock-around bike like my VStrom was, I'd either ignore it or spray VHS flat black on the pipes and forget it. But it's not, the CB's look and appearance are a big part of why I bought it. Rusty-looking headers are not going to cut it.

The only thing that really seems to clean them up is Simichrome and a LOT of elbow grease. BMW markets a spray that's supposed to work, but it's even more expensive than Simichrome.

What do y'all think/do about this?

[oldyaler_imp]

This is probably the only other option:http://www.jet-hot.com.Check out the extreme 1300 coatings. The polished coating looks very nice.

[the Ferret]

Lol..I had a Bonneville. These pipes look great sitting next to a well used Bonnie.

[The Spaceman_imp]

This is probably the only other option:http://www.jet-hot.com.Check out the extreme 1300 coatings. The polished coating looks very nice.

Thanks for the link, I checked the site out. Do you have any idea how much a job like our headers would cost? The site says call and talk to a sales person to get a price.

[oldyaler_imp]

This is probably the only other option:http://www.jet-hot.com.Check out the extreme 1300 coatings. The polished coating looks very nice.

Thanks for the link, I checked the site out. Do you have any idea how much a job like our headers would cost? The site says call and talk to a sales person to get a price.

Thanks for the link, I checked the site out. Do you have any idea how much a job like our headers would cost? The site says call and talk to a sales person to get a price. I don't know about exact prices but browsing through a performance car forum I found a few posts stating the price for AUTOMOTIVE headers/side pipes was around $495 shipping included. I'm sure having just the CB's headers done would be much cheaper.

[furious_blue_imp]

The first time I saw a CB in the wild was in the Honda tent at Daytona Bike Week last year. The bike's headers were covered with brown stains. I figured it must have been ridden down a dirt road just before they loaded it on the truck for the show, and nobody bothered to clean it up.

Of course it turns out the header pipes get brown, crappy-looking stains every time I ride in the wet. I assume everyone else's does too. If this were a knock-around bike like my VStrom was, I'd either ignore it or spray VHS flat black on the pipes and forget it. But it's not, the CB's look and appearance are a big part of why I bought it. Rusty-looking headers are not going to cut it.

The only thing that really seems to clean them up is Simichrome and a LOT of elbow grease. BMW markets a spray that's supposed to work, but it's even more expensive than Simichrome.

What do y'all think/do about this?

I was curious and looked up this optiglanz stuff. Not cheap but if works by just spray on and wipe off with no elbow grease, it would be worth it to me.

[ZRXman01_imp]

I have had good results using industrial "purple" scotch brite pads to clean off the heavy discoloration followed by Simi-chrome on a fine "grey" scotch brite pad.

You can get these pads at any automotive paint supply.

Pic is of my Kawasaki ZRX with Tsukigi stainless exhaust using this method...

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[The Spaceman_imp]

Thanks for the tip ZXRman, I will try those pads.

[jamboa_imp]

This is probably the only other option:http://www.jet-hot.com.Check out the extreme 1300 coatings. The polished coating looks very nice.

I have had Jet_Hot Coatings in Sterling Silver finish which looks like polished aluminum on my Bonnie, Scrambler, B King and Griso. If I get the wyvern 4/4 I may as well get it done. My wife is a real trooper.

[dBuster_imp]

Isn't there something like a ceramic coating that could be applied to where it wont discolor?