Wrap Your Pipes

[TheAudiDoc]

I did this over the weekend along with Lubing the swing arm bearings, replaced the spark plugs and did the 3 year coolant hose/oring replacements took me better part of 10 hours to do it all
this made a huge difference in the heat coming off the exhaust... and a K&N air filter



like the steering bearings note the lack of grease...I used lots of Mobil 1 synthetic

[David (N. Alabama)]

Thanks Mike. I sure am glad I have not passed you up on the mileage yet.

The only negative I could find regarding wrapping the pipes was the acceleration of rust. Did you remove them to do the wrapping and if so did you need to put new gaskets at the head?

As soon as it gets a little warmer the Voyager will be getting some TLC and drop back in the lineup to Saturday morning breakfast runs with my wife.

[TheAudiDoc]

david, yes i removed them...i had to to get the nut off of the swingarm bolt. the wrap and the stainless steel ties ran $48.. I can touch the heat shields now after riding...i'd say 50% heat reduction. and yes new header seals too

[TheAudiDoc]

David ...you do have more miles than me your 27k to my 23k....you are due for plugs and the coolant orings/hoses and the swing are lube

[David (N. Alabama)]

David ...you do have more miles than me your 27k to my 23k....you are due for plugs and the coolant orings/hoses and the swing are lube

Checked my spreadsheet and I am doing the steering head, swingarm, Coolant, Radiator Hose & O ring, brake fluid on my two year anniversary.

Spark plugs also because I will be at 30,000 miles by then.

other rubber bits I will inspect and decide if I want to replace on a case by case basis.

Unless the quality of rubber has gone way down I've know people who waited 20 years to replace some of the rubber bits on the Voyager XII.

[TheAudiDoc]

yes i questioned the 100 bucks i spent on all the hoses..i figured as long as i have a warranty thru kaw i'll follow their schedule

[TheAudiDoc]

If you take the pipes off this is easy... you will need 2 headder seals.. 12 bucks.... pipes come off in 20 minutes... easy

[Kevin B in Illinois]

How many feet of the wrap did you use on the Voyager 1700. Getting ready to wrap the head pipes and was wondering if I had enough left over from my Ultra that would be able to complete the job or if I needed to get some more. Thanks.....in Advance. and has anyone put on a Big Air Kit with filter on the Voyager 1700???? My bro n law has one on his bike and I like the looks of it.


Kevin Braddy
IPVMC
President

[TheAudiDoc]

1" wide by 50 feet

[TheAudiDoc]

Well I've been riding every day in this horrible heat wave we are having and I must say WOW to the heat reduction with the wrapped headders. It's been as hot as 106 here and I'm still riding.

[hank43]

OK, OK,
Both you guys have convinced me. I checked at the local auto supply stores, apparently, everyone has this stuff, 1" rolls, 2" rolls, 50 feet long and 15 feet long. We even found the stainless steel "Ty-Wraps" to secure it with. Looks like about $38.00 for 1"x50' wrap, and another $14 for 8 short SS ty wraps (9 inch) -$12 for 4 long ones (14 inch), at Manny Moe and Jacks, Plus, the head pipe donuts from the local Kawasaki dealer.

Do you think I can get buy with just the 9" ty-wraps, or will I need the extra long 14 inch ones also?
Also, should I wrap the pipes that run under the bike?

Also, since a lot of this heat comes from the fan, how about reversing the electrical on the fan so it blows forward, instead of back across all the hot stuff?

Returning home from our NorCal meeting last Saturday, the ambient air temp was about 80 degrees, cloudy, perfect riding weather until we hit traffic and stop lights. Temp gauge goes to about 75-80% (Almost into the red zone), fan starts, and blows that 2000 degree engine/exhaust heat right in our faces and over our legs. Very hot. Hope the pipe wrap helps..........


Hank

[David (N. Alabama)]

OK, OK,
Both you guys have convinced me. I checked at the local auto supply stores, apparently, everyone has this stuff, 1" rolls, 2" rolls, 50 feet long and 15 feet long. We even found the stainless steel "Ty-Wraps" to secure it with. Looks like about $38.00 for 1"x50' wrap, and another $14 for 8 short SS ty wraps (9 inch) -$12 for 4 long ones (14 inch), at Manny Moe and Jacks, Plus, the head pipe donuts from the local Kawasaki dealer.

Do you think I can get buy with just the 9" ty-wraps, or will I need the extra long 14 inch ones also?
Also, should I wrap the pipes that run under the bike?

Also, since a lot of this heat comes from the fan, how about reversing the electrical on the fan so it blows forward, instead of back across all the hot stuff?

Returning home from our NorCal meeting last Saturday, the ambient air temp was about 80 degrees, cloudy, perfect riding weather until we hit traffic and stop lights. Temp gauge goes to about 75-80% (Almost into the red zone), fan starts, and blows that 2000 degree engine/exhaust heat right in our faces and over our legs. Very hot. Hope the pipe wrap helps..........


Hank

I'm still not sure about wrapping the pipes here in the deep south because of the humidity. If I was riding the bike every day it might be OK, but I have read about the wrap holding moisture.

Anyway, the fan should be coming on when the temp needle just passes the tick mark to the right of the vertical tick mark. I recall reading somewhere that Honda reverses the fan when the bike is not moving. Don't quote me on that, you might have to do some research.

[hank43]

Humidity could be a problem, right now here in downtown California, it is 98 degrees, humidity is 78%, but that can't compare with what it must be in your neck of the woods.
Anyway, I'm gonna do it, in the event that it does rust the pipes out, I checked on line, and new pipes are only about $600.00.

BTW, the cost of stock mufflers are about $650 EACH

Will let you all know how it works out, I'm glad there is a board like this to offer help.

Hank

[David (N. Alabama)]

Humidity could be a problem, right now here in downtown California, it is 98 degrees, humidity is 78%, but that can't compare with what it must be in your neck of the woods.
Anyway, I'm gonna do it, in the event that it does rust the pipes out, I checked on line, and new pipes are only about $600.00.

BTW, the cost of stock mufflers are about $650 EACH

Will let you all know how it works out, I'm glad there is a board like this to offer help.

Hank

Of course there would be plenty of guys willing to sell OEM mufflers cheap becaue they are just taking up space in their garages.

Some days I walk out into my shop and anything metal that is two feet above the floor or below is wet from condensation.

[hank43]

Hey Guys;
Got a question. I wrapped my pipes, and held the (new chrome cover up, new because it is a part of the KAMS kit) and noticed that I can see the wrap behind the covers, along the edges. Anyone else notice this?


hank

[hank43]

I'll answer my own question. A slight twist of the pipe shields resolved about 95% of the pipe wrap reveal.

hank

[hank43]

Pipe wrap completed, there seems to be less heat from the pipes now......

hank