Balderdash wrote on 06/29/09 at 10:57:47:


Actually you only need to remove the head cover to get that bolt out, not the entire head.

Yonuh Adisi FSO wrote on 06/29/09 at 11:24:33:


True enough, but the head cover in this case is 12 bolts of different lengths and they should be replaced instead of re-torqued when they are removed, and you need to liquid gasket the entire thing to reinstall it, it's NOT like a valve cover at all.  I wouldn't want to take it off just to remove the chrome cover.  

It would be easier to buy a replacement bolt for the chrome cover should you ever want to reinstall it, that would be easier.

I have been considering doing some Linex or undercoat on some of the bike parts.  Adding texture to the parts also gives it a good look.  Linex is tuff stuff and I'm pretty sure you can paint it.

What is the purpose of wrapping the exhaust pipe?

Ignoring esthetics, probably impossible on a motorcycle board, the pipe wrap is an insulator. It can serve different purposes. It can insulate the surroundings, as when the pipe must run close to some other heat-sensitive part such as a fuel pump or a hydraulic slave cylinder. Or it can keep the heat in the pipe, such as when using a turbocharger where the exhaust heat makes the turbo more efficient. Wrapping a chrome motorcycle pipe is probably a sure way to make the pipe turn blue - or worse - so once it is done you can probably forget undoing it unless you replace the pipe or do not care about its appearance.

I have wrap on my pipe so I know the look isn't for everybody.

Here's how I reply when somebody says to me:
"Why your bike sure is ugly!
"Maybe, but you're fn lookin at it! Ain't ya?"

I wrap part of my header and pipe to protect my polyester blend pants from melting so durn frequently.   Looks OK to me, does the intended job.  

I prefer white but wind up dying the stuff with hot black paint once it gets stained up good with motor oil drooling from the air box.   Black isn't as pretty as white to me, but it looks better over the years as it hides all stains and is a renewable finish.  

And no, you can't paint it with hot white paint as the oil that impregnated the fiberglass stripping comes right on out through the white paint once it gets hot a time or two.

Black, she don't really matter if it tries to bleed through or not.

about the cover issue. I removed the bolt when I rebuilt the motor and I tapped the hole and got a bolt that is a bit bigger than the others so that I can install the covers later without having to take anything apart. If you just cut off the head of the bolt and remove it, you can do the same thing with a tap and new bolt that threads in from the top like the other three. I personally like the covers removed with the black out. I like that wrap you put on there. I was thinking of wrapping the lower end of my pipe with white between the heat shield and the muff, but I am still up in the air about it. how do think that would look?...