Wrapping the Viking Headers

[Boog]

Well, many of you know that Brahma had a heart transplant this January. The Viking exhaust system I put on awhile back has unprotected headers and I have burned quite a few holes in my pants. Well, since my old tune was lean and discolored the chrome horribly, and my mistreatment of the bike in general by keeping it outside all its life, the headers are also now rusting. So, to cover my lack of care and to protect my pants, I wrapped the headers today.

Disclaimer: this is my first attempt and I believe I will redo this wrap later with a titanium wrap vice this painful fiberglass wrap. The Hi-Temp Silicone coating that came with the kit is white, not the color I want.
Also, I did not take the pipes off the bike before wrapping. This would make for an easier wrap but added wrench time.

The outside temp is around 45°F, Hazel was going to help but I told her to stay inside for the temp and because I didn't want her to handle the fiberglass wrap. Even using gloves, I got fiber stuck in my hands, no fun.

To start with, the three bikes in the front of the house.

A close up look at the discolored and rusty pipes.

I start on the back header as close to the collector as I can get.

I measured pretty good and only have about six inches left to cut away.

The metal bands are a bit fiddly. Once hand tight, take your Leatherman off your hip and twist the band tighter.

Here I realize I made a mistake. That middle pipe is too tight to get lower. I should have started wrapping below the back down pipe and double wrapped it for the first few inches. Doing it my way in the picture left a gap later.

I am now starting the longest piece just above the O2 sensor and going to the forward pipe. Notice my grand plan of keeping the wrap nice and tidy. That did not last long.

I tightened the metal band on this one before moving too far forward.

 

[Boog]

Keeping the wrap tight is a constant problem. Now I am getting to the hard part.

Once finished, i had exactly enough on the long run. The two pieces here are from the first two wraps.

A little closer look at my first attempt. The top bend on the forward header must have slipped. It appears that it is not covered by a quarter of a wrap any longer.

I fired it up to heat the wrap and to cure it. This is of course without any silicone coating.

After the smoke stopped, I rode down by the river. I does feel noticeably cooler on my leg.

I have the right color of coating on order, but I am not sure I will use it. I may order a different wrap that does not require the coating. If I do the coating, I will need to take the headers off the bike.

Let me know of any pointers you may have for me.

 

[wjb]

Thanks for going to the trouble of documenting this process and sharing it with us!

 

[cootertwo]

Good luck! I've only messed with the wrap, one time. I guess it was the fiberglass type. It did not last long, and slowly started to fall apart. Don't remember what brand.

 

[Vector]

I'd pull the exhaust and have it powder coated black.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Since your Rocket has that 'weathered' look I would keep it like it is. The wrap serves it's purpose and looks good. Kind of intimidating if you will.

 

[Boog]

The temperature rose above 60°F yesterday so i decided to coat the wrapping. This nut was the toughest to get to.

Once the six nuts were off, I loosened the lower band that tightens the collector to the cross over. I thought I would simply rotate the headers away from the engine without full disassembly. That didn't work. And as daylight was quickly going dark, I taped off the shiny bits and blocked off the rest. This means the back side of the wraps do not get coated tonight.

On paper it say I am strong. Time to use a little strength to align the holes with the studs.

All buttoned up.

After the burn off. I'll be riding into work on Brahma today and see if I can detect any difference.

 

[wjb]

Nice work. I would have never thought to coat them without completely removing them. Smart.
It looks like all the exhaust studs stayed in the head, good for you.

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

I made chrome covers for my Viking Exhaust. Zoom in for a good look.

 

[Boog]

I made chrome covers for my Viking Exhaust. Zoom in for a good look.

That does look well done brother. I do wished I was that talented...