Finally replacing the RT ...

[STL RT Rider]

... with this;

 

 

Question; what can I do about those ugly brown pipes? On the RT, they just turned blue (which matched the bike), but this is fugly. Is there any compound that will take it out, or am I going to have to replace them and with what that won't turn brown?

[smiller]

The pipes are single-wall stainless and it's going to be near impossible to keep them looking pristine. There may be some ceramic coatings you could have applied that might hold up and provide a better appearance.

[STL RT Rider]

Hmmm, so I suppose the Touratech pipes, which are also stainless, will brown just the same?

 

Wonder why the pipes on the old RT just turned blue. Different coating?

 

Thanks for the reply.

[Mark_C]

The discolouration is only on the surface and will polish out with metal polish but the pipes go brown again in a few hundred miles. Needs a lot of elbow grease.

[BFish]

not trying it hijack the thread or take your mind off the brown pipes, but which (mfg) engine guard is that? thanks and it looks great.

[mx125]

My GS came with chrome pipes . . which look ok, untile they trun blue, which I love. Some complain about that, and try to clean it, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

I guess your dealer didn't order the chrome pipes. Mine also odered with clear headlights (neither of which were charges I had to pay). After getting the clear headlights, i can't imaging going back to those retro old yellow ones.

[velomoto]

My understanding is the color is due to two factors: temperature and the material with which they are made. Chrome pipes will color differently than stainless.

 

FWIW, many of the cruisers maintain their chrome by having a double wall pipe such as an aftermarket "cover". In most cases the air gap keeps the exterior chrome from turning blue.

 

Cheers,

Greg

[St0nkingByte]

If used properly, won't the entire bike be brown soon?

[RichEdwards]

Those pipes are gonna stay brown so I suggest you buy new riding gear to match.

[Firefight911]

There is absolutely nothing you can do to retain the chrome look f the pipes, except never start the motor. Yoes, you can elbow grease them back in shape but you will spend more thime doing this than you will riding.

 

Get them ceramic coated if you want to retain a color to the pipes.

 

Jet Hot, Performance Coatings are two that come to mind.

 

This has been thoroughly discussed on this board within the last three months so you should be able to do a search to get some more info on who can do the coating.

 

The technical answer on why they discolor involves light waves being absorbed/reflected. This is due to the heating and subsequent oxidation/coating of the pipes.

[STL RT Rider]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Guess I'm just going to live with it and, yes, the rest of the bike will be brown with dirt soon anyway, so, it'll all match!

 

 

I just rode it home 140 miles after picking it up today. What an awesome bike! I had forgotten what it was like to actually have wind on the helmet and chest. Good feeling!

 

Fortunately, I've learned to wear earplugs now, so it's that much more enjoyable.

 

I sure am lucky. It's my anniversary today and my wife let me take up most of the day to do this!

 

Bless her heart!