pretty sure my jardines aren't ceramic coated as the headers have rust on them...... either that or they have the cheapest ceramic coating you can buy in a rustoleum spray can...... I've even entertained the idea of getting a harley for my upcoming trip because they put off less heat........ if it's this bad in Illinois how will I feel about it in Az? ..... might be nice once we get up to Wyoming though....... Think I'll go to the auto store today and get some exhaust wrap..... thanks
I wouldnt go by what the end of your exhaust looks like..... too many factors can change the look that far out. Mine has been dyno tuned and is still somewhat black at the ends. You can try to do a plug chop if you have the time and patience but I would not because if you dont know exactly what you are looking for then you can get in trouble doing that also. Todays fuels and additives in the fuel will mislead you drasticly. I hate to say it but you really just need to get it dyno tuned to be completely correct...... you can get somewhat close w/ just a PC3 and the tune Jardine gives out..... but it will not be to the full potential/performance the motor can produce..... but it is close enough that no real damage can be done to the pistons and it will be alot cheaper going that route then a tuneboy and a dynotune. There are people here that have hooked up an AF gage to their exhaust and you could probably tune your own PC3/tuneboy that way if you know what you are doing...... but I have not researched that to give any info. to that...... maybe contact Hombre or some of the other "Techies" to see if it is possible and what the cost comparison would be.
You're absolutely right, only a ( good) custom dyno tune is guarenteed to ensure the fuelling is as close to perfect as it can get, & will likely give you significant power gains over a stock downloaded tune.. My comments on exhaust deposits were more of a way to eyeball check if your close, or way out. (Indeed black soot isn't bad, so long as its dry, powdery,& light in quantity.)
You're absolutely right, only a ( good) custom dyno tune is guarenteed to ensure the fuelling is as close to perfect as it can get, & will likely give you significant power gains over a stock downloaded tune.. My comments on exhaust deposits were more of a way to eyeball check if your close, or way out. (Indeed black soot isn't bad, so long as its dry, powdery,& light in quantity.)
Not to belabor the obvious, but big power means big heat. Sitting at idle on a hot day will cause the radiator fan to switch on in a few seconds. The fan starts when a temperature switch hits something above 200 degrees. The breeze off that little blower is too weak to feel, but when you start rolling the heat built up in the radiator blows back over your legs. I don't notice it much since I don't deal with traffic, but during my ride to DC last year I got it plenty. If you want less heat, change your thermostat to a lower opening temperature unit. Two things if you do that, heat isn't as atrocious and radiator pressure is less. Now good luck finding one.
I know that after I installed the 20219 tune and opened the secondaries, my Rocket is getting much better fuel mileage. I can't give you exact metrics, but it has been habitually taking less gas to fill up after my normal daily run of 104 miles. Of course, it could be the fuel blend as well; so many dang variables to nail down in trying to determine why and/or if the bike is running too lean. Doesn't seem overly "hot" though. Has frikken gobs of power.
I think this weekend I'm going to try the standard 20226 Rocket tune with same adjustments as I have in the 20219. See if that makes a difference with the "sipping of gas" at the present moment....
I want to try the 20050TOR_Dyno but will want to wait until I have a more free flowing pipe (or pipes) since I'm running the Classic OEM's with cat bypass and OEM air setup....
..I just wrapped me preds..so far, so good..just put about 60 miles on.. the ambient air temp is about about 80..left the heat shields off..my inner right leg thinks it is ok..not as hot as running without the wrap and the heat shields on..plus it looks badass..
/nod. exhaust bandage looks scruffy, rat-bikish to my eyes, esp when its a bit old & tatty. Can't beat the look of nice ceramic coated metal +/- chrome shields.
Wasn't there something about improvements in performance with bandage tho? keeping the gasses hotter for longer?mebbe keeps exhaust pressure higher? enlightnment plz)
..if ya buy the stuff in kit form, ya get those narrow stainless band clamps and the high temp spray coating..I just bought a 50' roll of wrap from autozone..they didn't have the other stuff..I'm gonna try to find those narrow clamps and and probably paint the wrap too..and the shields will fit over the wrap as well..but as far as keeping the heat off your leg, this stuff does work better than just the ceramic coated pipes and heat shields..hey Wayne, how far in advance do I need to schedule a dyno tune?..I'd like to get it done in July or August..