My header is turning blue.

[Big Bo]

Mainly the two outside pipes.
Is this a bad thing?

[Red01]

No.
Chill  

[PitterB4]

...but some positive reinforcement, maybe some chocolates or flowers are sure to brighten them up!

[Runerx]

Give it time... you'll have  "gunmetal headers"

DJ

[terrebandit]

Is it a stock header?  Do you have modified jetting?  Blue pipes generally mean that you are running a bit lean.  Most stock headers with stock jetting turn only a gold color.

[Big Bo]

I have a Scorpion can on the bike. The pipes were gold. About two weeks ago the blue color started showing.

This is a stock 2nd gen, 1200 with the addition of the Scorpion. The Scorpion has been on the bike for 1500 miles. It pops out the back alot. Do I need a jet kit?

[mike]

A performance slipon and stock jetting is lean, BB.  But I ran my 01B12 with a holeshot SO and stock jetting for a year with no ill effects.  The popping indicates lean too.

Some header polish, holeshots majic mix metal polish, everytime you wash will help until you save for a jet kit, thats what I did....

Mike
:)

[Big Bo]

I have a jet kit in my near future. I don`t know whick one to get. Holeshot II, or Ivans. I don`t want to start a brand war. The prices are marketly different. Is one easier than the other to install? Tune? Works great? Help, because I don`t know what kit to buy, or if it makes any difference at all.

[Red01]

Performance is comparable. Dale offers a choice of keeping the airbox, or ditching it in favor of cleanable K&N pod filters. Reinstalling the airbox is a bit of a PIA - especially compared to tossing in the pods. If you wanna keep the airbox, go with whichever is cheapest.

[Steve]

The thing that sounds odd to me is that the outside headers are blueing more than the inner ones. You would expect temps to run higher on the inside cylinders. Blueing is real common (read normal) on single wall headers like older european bikes. I haven't noticed that color on many late model bikes with double wall headers, expecially stainless ones.

In addition to the jet kit, the deceleration popping will be greatly reduced by eliminating the pair system and making sure that no fresh air leaks exist into the header.

I agree Vith that And believe that a New jet kit will Solve the discoloration and improve the bike overall.

             

Steve

btw: I also use the K&N filter, no problemo.

[BanditBoy]

Bought a Holeshot can, 21", and installed it.  I ran it without doing anything else for months, experiencing just what you have, and loved the change w/ the sound and slight power increase, but not much blue-ing. Still wanted more 'kick'

I installed the Stage I from DW after much consideration.  I'd read too many good things about it and decided to "dive-in", "take the plunge".  No mechanical experience w/ bikes, but confident in my limited experiences, "I could do it if so many others had in the past".  Besides, Mr. Walker was readily available for consult.

Huge difference in performance over just the can, and I did it all without having to make any adjustments - just replaced parts, modified airbox, cut needlle springs - boom!  Yes, carb removal was the adventure, but I got through it one afternoon.  I recommend, even without having axperienced other kits.  Good luck!
 

[DaveG]

just received my scorpion can and will install it on my 2002 B12 next weekend

seems as if you like it   tell me more.

my plan was to run as is for this season and install ivan's jet kit next winter.

i like dales' but don't like the ignition advancer idea.

[Red01]

i like dales' but don't like the ignition advancer idea.

Why?

[Big Bo]

I don`t know what happened. Or why the pipes turned blue. This just happened over the past two weeks. My bike is very cold blooded. Takes a few cranks to start when cold. A co-worker has an 02 1200S also. He runs a Two Brothers. His pipe has been on for over a year. He says his bike runs great. Does not pop at all, mine does. I will not ride my bike until I get the jet kit in. Its no problem its raining here anyway. And is not supposed to let up until late next week.

I like the sound of the Scorpion. I think you will too.

[mike]

Hey BB, hard cold starts and long warmup time is a symptom of lean also.

When I was using a HS SO (no jet kit), I had to use full choke to get 3k on the tach when starting cold.  Then it took 5 minutes of riding before it warmed up enough to get into the throttle without sputtering.

So thats normal for your bike now.  Once you get a jet kit tuned in, it will warm up quick, and you won't have to sit very long waiting for it to warm up.

Hell, when mine was warming up without the kit, I used to go full choke after I got it stablized at 2500-3000 rpm.  Then put on my jacket, helmet, gloves, organize my tank bag and what not.  Then finally the rpms would start to drop a little and I could back off the choke.  Bet my apartment neighbors loved that huh ?

Mike
:)