Results after 15 minutes of polishing the headers

[Dale_K]

I just bought the bike on Thursday and the nasty brown exhaust pipes really bothered me. So I took some Honda metal polish and a rag and this is how it turned out after 15 minutes (per side). I realize the discoloration will return pretty quickly but at least I know I can restore them when I feel the urge and it doesn't take very long. No power tools.

Before

After

[ScottSuff]

I didn't think anything would make them come back. It's called Honda metal polish, from the Honda dealer I assume. I'm impressed!

[xprof]

Good work, Dale! Do please keep us posted on how long it lasts.

[Dale_K]

Yeah, at the Honda dealer, lol. Tube specifically mentions stainless along with "aluminum, chrome, brass, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and silver". It's good for everything...I guess Honda are geniuses at everything but Forumla One. Still looks the same after a 30 mile ride, which included a brief burst to 100 (I'm gonna get a ticket on this bike).

[Lost Rider]

Still looks the same after a 30 mile ride, which included a brief burst to 100 (I'm gonna get a ticket on this bike).

Or 3.... I've donated to your local economy through the traffic division before...

[bobw]

Looks great. Thanks for the tip.

Cheers

Bob

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Great on "How to Harley Davidsonize your R1200R"

[dderrig]

Good post, I am going to take your advice and do the same thing.

Dave

[Dan-A]

Great on "How to Harley Davidsonize your R1200R"

Nope. there are chrome covers over the pipes, at least on my Harley. They stay shiny easier!

[mechanic savant]

I get similar results using NAPA chrome polish & 2' of sisal rope , loop rope once around pipe & pull back& forth ..viola takes about a beer per side YRMV

[snag]

Before I picked up the 12R, I asked my dealer about the blueing and what if any was the solution. His response was "That's how you tell they've been ridden." it is my first BMW. Not to inflame, but I think that polishing the headers is a bit of a fool's errand. At my age and with my schedule, I'd rather ride than polish and polish and polish. IMHO

Doug

[mogu83]

Before I picked up the 12R, I asked my dealer about the blueing and what if any was the solution. His response was "That's how you tell they've been ridden." it is my first BMW. Not to inflame, but I think that polishing the headers is a bit of a fool's errand. At my age and with my schedule, I'd rather ride than polish and polish and polish. IMHO Doug

And that my friend, is why Peter Paul makes both Almond Joys and Mounds


Some times you feel like a nut
Sometimes you don't

[deilenberger]

Before I picked up the 12R, I asked my dealer about the blueing and what if any was the solution. His response was "That's how you tell they've been ridden." it is my first BMW. Not to inflame, but I think that polishing the headers is a bit of a fool's errand. At my age and with my schedule, I'd rather ride than polish and polish and polish. IMHO

Doug

Doug - as Harry said - different strokes, different folks. Saw Harry at "The Gathering of the Nortons" - an annual event in the NJ/PA area for Brit bike enthusiasts - which is certainly proof that some people greatly enjoy polishing bikes vs riding them.

It's all good.. (some is gooder than others, but it's all good..) There are times I feel ambitious and will spend a bit of time cleaning/polishing the bike - and other times when all I want to do is get on it and ride anywhere. It's good..

[mogu83]

This is for the anti-polish guys .
Hard to tell but the front engine cover,starter cover, air cleaner housing, rims of brake drums, wheel rims,fins on valve covers and oil pan have all been polished to a chrome like finish and all done by hand. 100 grit/400 grit/600 grit/metal polish/ cleaner wax, took weeks but when your retired and it's cold out and nothing on TV it's a good way to spend the time. On the other hand most of the stuff that came chromed or polished is now powder coated.

[def38]

To avoid further polishing of chrome pipes, have them jet hot coated. You'll never polish again. http://www.jet-hot.com/headercoatings.html

[celticus]

I underwent some hypnotherapy that helps me ignore the color of my pipes and not notice them at all.

Mark

[snag]

Bike is polished, just not the pipes. Jeeez, give me little credit will ya! But if anyone wants to rebut further with shiney bike pics, especially the classics, I'd be happy to play the troglodite a little longer.

Doug

[NeilS]

Sort of, but not quite, on topic...

Is it true that some bikes have stainless steel headers and some have chrome headers? Was the choice an option or was it a production change? How does one tell them apart? Are the stainless pipes nonmagnetic? Should one care about which is on the bike?

[def38]

Sort of, but not quite, on topic...

Is it true that some bikes have stainless steel headers and some have chrome headers? YES Was the choice an option or was it a production change? YESHow does one tell them apart? Don't worry about it...the electroplater will know.Are the stainless pipes nonmagnetic? Should one care? I don't know....do you care?

[NeilS]

I care because:

1. I'm an engineer and I have a perverse need to know these things.

2. I don't like the fact that my pipes turn blue/brown, but I'm too lazy to follow Dale's route to polish the pipes only to have them discolor again a few weeks later. If a $3000 Honda's pipes don't discolor, why do those on a $15000 BMW?

3. Someday, I may do something about it. Maybe Jet-Hot, maybe have someone make me a set of coaxial pipes (like on that $3000 Honda).