TSR Chrome headers from Takahashi

D

darmahman_imp

Running like a top
Thread starter
'Here is the link: http://www.samurider.com/?p=13754

Now here is the story.

Some of you may know I was planning on selling my 1100 to buy a new BMW R9T.( A BMW in the same mold as our 1100's.)
Well, shortly after putting it up for sale on this site's pages I did a dumb thing and dinged one of the header pipes. A good size ding that didn't seem to make a difference in performance but I needed to get it fixed in order to sell it. New OEM headers are $1400 at least and I missed out on a used set on these pages for $350. Tried to low ball him.
So I emailed Takahashi to see what he had. Preferably w/o a cat but with the o2 sensor. The above set he has available and would mount up fine with my Staintune muffler. It did have a cat and o2 sensor tho. $680.00.
I received it in about 10 days, maybe less. It comes with the 4 chrome pipes separate and the chrome cat/ collector separate. Also comes with new header clamps and gasket rings as well as a small tube of "muffler grease".
Install was straight forward with good enough instructions in Japanese... Actually the pics were all that was needed. I did have trouble getting the gasket rings to collapse( seal) as they only go on one way. ( smooth side out) and require more cranking down than I would have thought was needed.
But once installed correctly what a sound. I thought it sounded good with the Staintune and stock headers. It now sounds mean. The headers are a larger size diameter than the stock ones, but most of the change is in the tiny and I do mean tiny cat conv. Maybe 20% the size of the stock one.
And the performance is startlingly better than with just the Staintune. I can't say I noticed a diff with just the Staintune, but with these headers it is self evident. Acceleration is much more instantaneous. I always felt the motor was lazy before but no more. It winds right up to redline and much quicker. Lots of fun.
Bottom line is the bike is no more for sale...
 
Pipes look great Darmahman
 
Thanks for sharing darmahman. How about a few more pics from different angles? (Hey, it never hurts to ask.)
 
Thanks for the tip on the R9T. I hadn't heard about it, so I just Googled it. Wow. That is an amazing looking bike. Besides the CB1100, that's the only new bike I've seen in the last 10 yrs. that I'd seriously considered shelling out cash to buy. How they got all that power and torque out of an 1170cc twin is a mystery to me, but if it works, more power to them (pun intended).

I've only got room for the CB1100 and CB750 in the garage, but now you've got me seriously thinking about maybe replacing the old 750.
 
This is really informative. My biggest, virtually my only gripe with my bike is the way the factory headers stain every time I ride in the rain. I like cleaning my bike, but constantly Semichroming the headers gets old.

There are chroming shops here in town that will plate the factory pipes, but they take weeks and the prices are high. And if the parts you bring are used, they hedge on the warranty. I'd really like to know if your new chrome headers solve the staining issue. I'm pretty sure they will, as I never had staining on the chrome headers and pipes on my HD. All they needed was a wipe down with a soft cloth, or an occasional touch up with mild polishing ccompound.
 
If they are not double walled they will permanently blue
 
They do look good! And that write-up makes them sound like a desireable item. Like Guth, I'd like to see some more pics from different angles.
 
The ferret_imp said:
If they are not double walled they will permanently blue
Click to expand...
The stainless TSR headers are single wall. I hope Darmahman reports on what extent they blue. Personally I don’t mind a little bluing as long as it’s contained to the first few inches. The TSRs are 100% better looking than the stockers.

I'm thrilled that Darmahman made the purchase and provided an outstanding review. These headers are now most definitely on my list of accessories to buy.

I also have a Staintune. I wonder what a set of K&H filters and a Power Commander 5 in combination with the TSR and Staintune would do to the already sizeable performance gain Darmahman is reporting?
 
The pipes on the Bonneville are single walled chrome, they turn colors down to the footpegs.
 
Another data point; the pipes on my Griso are doublewalled and turned a nice shade of tan with blue spots at the bends. Doesn't bother me as it shows she is a rider, not a hanger queen.

The CB350F headers appear double walled. Heavy, no colour issues and clean up nicely. The mufflers are thin walled and rust just looking at them (from the inside out).
 
Darmahman

Those look sweet. Keep us updated on how they hold up and if they blue badly. I am REALLY interested in these. If they hold up well, Mr T. is getting some more of my $$$$.
I have always felt that the stock CAT chokes the bike out.

Any chance of some more pics?
 
Thread starter
I will take more pics as time goes on and show the bluing. We are having great weather this Nov. so I will get to put some more miles on her b/4 the snows. If the chrome on these headers is as quality like as everything else from Takahashi I will be impressed. It appears it is from first experiences.
 
darmahman_imp said:
I think it is weird that stainless steel "stains".
Click to expand...
It does seem a little weird. But stainless steels sometimes only "stains less" than carbon steel. You have to have a chrominum content of over 14% to start getting true stainless properties. And the bluing on our pipes is not a stain but a reaction to extreme heat.

Here's another fact to ponder. You can "blue" carbon steel with an acid (think a blued gun finish), but you can't blue stainless by the same process.
 
Nothing wrong w/ headers changing colors as long as you are enjoying yourself! Chrome headers turn gold then get darker and bluish. Single wall does that faster than double wall. Sometimes double wall doesn't change much. How hot they get affects things, too. I bought a used a 6 cylinder CBX that had gold-purple-blue headers header pipes, was told that happens from idling too long w/ choke on and not moving and pipes get extremely HOT!
The discoloring can be polished off but its temporary and polishing is an abrasive process which dulls the chrome.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Short mods list and experience with each for those considering.
Replies
6
Views
742
1973cb750
1973cb750
S
'91 - '03 750 Nighthawk longevity & high mortality parts? Other thoughts. Long post.
2
Replies
23
Views
2K
Ollie
Ollie
Gone in 60
INT650
2 3 4
Replies
60
Views
5K
GoldOxide_imp
G
J
Finally got to actually ride it.
Replies
18
Views
2K
Jambo_imp
J
C
Thumbs Up for Power Commander V and Autotune
Replies
5
Views
565
PowerDubs_imp
P
Back
Top